In A Tragic Incident, Ten Kids Die In Uganda By Lightning Strike
By
Samantha in
Heartbreaking
On 31st August 2020
An unfortunate incident has claimed lives of 10 children in Uganda. The kids were playing football went sudden thunderstorm hit them. They immediately ran for shelter but 9 of them were hit by the lightning already and one of them passed away on his way to the hospital.
Josephine Angucia, police spokeswoman in Uganda's West Nile region, said the children had been playing football at a field near the Odramacaku trading center in Arua City. Speaking about the turn of events, she wrote in a statement: "It's a very unfortunate and sad incident. May the souls of the deceased rest in peace and may the almighty God comfort the bereaved families in this trying moment."As for the injured, we pray for quick recovery."
#1
A heartbreaking incident in Uganda has tragically claimed the lives of ten kids.
Fourteen of the kids - who were aged nine to 16 - had been playing football near Arua City on Thursday (August 27) when a thunderstorm hit.
The kids though got shelter in a nearby grass-thatched structure but 9 of them killed instantly and another one of the kids passed away on his way to the hospital.
As reported by People that Ugandan authorities identified those injured as 11-year-old Ayikobua Martin from Nyaute village, 14-year-old Munguci Boniface from Nyaute village, 14-year-old Adriko Yofasi from Gbuluku village, and 9-year-old Andama Festo from Gbuluku village. Thye added that the rest of the kids are getting treatment for their injuries at the local hospital.
#2
Josephine Angucia, police spokeswoman in Uganda's West Nile region, said the children had been playing football at a field near the Odramacaku trading center in Arua City.
Speaking about the turn of events, Josephine wrote in a statement: "It's a very unfortunate and sad incident."
She went on to say: "May the souls of the deceased rest in peace and may the almighty God comfort the bereaved families in this trying moment.
"As for the injured, we pray for quick recovery."
Credit: PA
#3
Josephine noted in her statement that it is not unusual for the area to get struck by lightning.
"It is a rainy season with a lot of lightning in West Nile and other similar incidences have been confirmed elsewhere in the same regions," she explained.
According to the World Meteorological Organization, the country has one of the highest rates of lightning strike deaths in the world, while its capital Kampala witnesses more days of lightning each year than any city.
#4
The last time this tragic incident happened was back in 2011 when 18 children were killed by a lightning strike. At the time, police spokeswoman Judith Nabakooba told AFP news agency that 15 girls and three boys had died at Runyanya Primary School in the Masindi area.
Uganda's Minister of State for Disaster Preparedness Musa Ecweru said the deaths were a result of 'negligent' construction engineers who had failed to ensure the buildings were installed with lightning rods.
"There are very many schools and brand new health centres which are lacking lightning arrestors," Mr Ecweru said.
"I can assure you we are going to work with the relevant sectors to make sure that this is addressed.
"It is unfortunate that this is going to happen after we lost people."
Credit: PA
