Raipur: Six children were among eight killed in a lightning strike at Chhattisgarh’s Rajnandgaon on Monday. Another person had to be hospitalised with severe injuries.
The class XI students were returning home after their exam. Since it was raining heavily, they had taken shelter under a shed near a tree, which was struck by lightning, according to District Collector Sanjay Aggrawal.
“As per preliminary information, eight people, including some school children, died in the lightning strike. Besides, one person was reported to be injured and was hospitalised,” Rajnandgaon Superintendent of Police Mohit Garg told PTI.
Police and government officials rushed to the spot to oversee rescue operations and reach out to the victim’s families.
The state government announced an ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh for the families of deceased. Those injured will be given compensation as per rules, an official said.
