Six killed in lightning strike in West Bengal

At least six people were killed and over 10 injured in different districts of West Bengal after lightning struck them amid heavy rains today, an official of the state disaster management department said.

Five deaths were reported from Howrah district, while one person died in Murshidabad district, he said.

According to Murshidabad district police, Shankar Mondal (50) was working at a field in Jalangi area of the district, when he was killed in a lightning strike.

In Howrah district's Bordanga area, four children, aged between 8 and 12 years, were in a field collecting mangoes during a thunderstorm when lightning struck them, a police officer said.

The boys were taken to a local hospital where they were declared brought dead, he said, adding, another person died in Uluberia subdivision of the district after being struck by lightning.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said her government would provide assistance to the families of the deceased, as well as those whose houses and crops have been damaged.

"We do not have control over the nature. We will not be able to bring back those who have died, but our government will be beside these families and help them in every possible manner," she told a news channel.

Reiterating that the model code of conduct ahead of tomorrow's panchayat elections was not applicable in case of a disaster in the state, she said the chief secretary has been asked to carry out a survey of the losses.

"We are yet to ascertain the estimate of the damages. We will do a survey based on which we will help the families," Banerjee said.