Five killed by lightning in Karnataka village

Five people, including a woman and a girl, were killed Monday when lightning struck them at a village in Raichur district of northern Karnataka, an official said.

"The incident in Kurudi village in Manvi taluk occurred around 4 p.m. when the five were standing under a tree near their fields to avoid getting drenched in a sudden downpour," Raichur Deputy Commissioner S.N. Nagaraju told IANS.

The victims were identified as Nirmala (30), Chaitnya (9), Chandru (22), Huligappa (40) and Nagaraj (22).

"Though about 20 other people under the tree escaped unhurt, three peoples, including two girls were injured in the incident. They were rushed to a government hospital at Manvi for treatment," Nagaraju said.

"When ever lightning occurs, people should not take shelter under a tree as they will be vulnerable to such strikes. They should have been near power lines, which absorb its (lightning) effect and dilute the impact of its charge," he added.

The official announced a compensation of Rs.1.5 lakh to the five families of each victim as they were not related.

Raichur is 450 km from Bangalore.