At least seven people, including two of a family, were killed and 12 others injured after being struck by lightning during thundersquall in Malda, officials said today.
Malda superintendent of police Syed Waqar Rja said a 63-year-old man and his 26-year-old nephew were killed in lightning at Kahal village in Ratua when they along with four other family members were working in the fields early this morning.
The two died on the spot while four other members of the family have been admitted to Malda Government College and Hospital are stated to be in serious condition.
Lightning killed two in Harischandrapur area, one in Chanchol and two others elsewhere in the district, besides injuring eight others last night, Malda police said.
Two persons were killed in lightning in neighbouring North Dinajpur, a district official said.
While the squall brought the mercury down in north Bengal, south Bengal continues to sizzle in the sweltering heat with no nor'wester for the past several days.
