ZOOMBANGLA DESK: At least 17 persons, including seven of one family, were killed and 15 others injured in a lightning strike at Panka Tellikhari Ferry Ghat area near Dakkhin Panka Dhulauri this noon.

Shibganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md. Shakib-Al-Rabbi confirmed this, saying that these people were going from Narayanpur in Chapainawabganj sadar upazila to Panka in Shibganj upazila by a boat in the river Padma to attend a post-wedding feast.

As they reached the ferry ghat and there was rain, they took shelter in a thatched shed at the ghat at around 12 noon.

Suddenly, a thunder bolt hit them, killing 15 on the spot while two others died on the way to the hospital, the UNO said, adding that 12 of the deceased are male and five are female.

Although the detailed identify of all the deceased persons could not be known immediately, it was known that 16 of the victims are from sadar upazila and one is from Shibganj upazila, he said.

The injured were sent to the Chapainawabganj Sadar Hospital.

Residential Medical Officer (RMO) of Chapainawabganj Sadar Hospital Dr. Nurunnahar Nasu said, six dead bodies and four injured persons were brought to the hospital.

The condition of the four injured persons is very critical and they may be referred to the Rajshahi Medical College Hospital, she added.