Lightning kills 3, leaves 5 in hospital

THREE people have died while two are admitted to Nchanga North Hospital after being struck by lightning while working in their maize fields in Chingola’s Chabanyama area.

Similarly, in Chitambo, three pupils were left unconscious after lightning struck them while at school.
Copperbelt commissioner of police Charity Katanga confirmed the Chingola incident, which happened at 14:00 hours on Saturday.
The victims sought refuge under a tree when it started raining, and one died on the spot, and the other two on the way to the hospital.

Ms Katanga named the deceased as Guza Banda, 82, of house no 15, Chikwekwe Road, Chabanyama Site and Service; Methius Banda, 14, of house number 12B of the same township and Susan Nyamba, 44, of an unknown address.

Ms Katanga named those that are admitted to Nchanga North Hospital as Grace Nakamba, 60, of an unknown address who sustained burns on the body and Dorcas Nanyangwe, 16, who was left with blisters on the head and legs.
She said the five were working in a maize field when lightning struck them.
“I can confirm that we have three people that died in Chingola after being struck by lightning. Two survived the attack and are admitted to Nchanga North Hospital,” she said.

And in Chitambo, three girls of Makando Primary School have been hospitalised after lightning left them unconscious last Friday, VIOLET MENGO reports in Lusaka.
Ministry of General Education spokesperson Hilary Chipango said in an interview yesterday that the three girls, who are in boarding school, were rushed to Chitambo Mission Hospital where they are admitted.

He said the girls are now conscious and out of danger.
Mr Chipango named the girls as Precious Lilema, 10, Abigail Luhanga, 12, and Regina Nakaundi, 12.
The incident happened at 18:45 hours on Friday.