Fourteen people were killed and 34 others injured when lighting struck a church in the palabek refugee camp in northern Uganda.
The tragedy unfolded around 5:30 p.m. during a prayer service, just after rain began falling at approximately 5:00 p.m.
Kituma Rusoke, the spokesperson for Uganda’s police, confirmed.
‘’Lightening struck at a church in zone 8, Block 2 of the palabek settlement camp during the service,’’ Rusoke neted in a post on X.
This unfortunate event highlights the dangers posed by lightening strike, which are relatively common in Uganda, especially during the rainy season.
In June, a similar occurrence in Nebbi District left 77 pupils injured while they were playing outside during a school games competition.
The risk associated with thunderstorms are evident, as lightning can strike with little warning.
Moreover, this is not the first time lightening has caused fatality in the region.
In August 2020, ten children tragically lost their lives in Arua city while seeking shelter from a storm in a grass-thatched hut that was stuck.
These incidents underscore the urgent need for community awareness and safety measures to protect individuals during thunderstorms.
The local community is mourning the loss of life and the injuries sustained during the church service.
As investigations continue, authorities are expected to offer support to the affected families and further educate the public about the risk of lightning and storm safety.
The police and emergency services are on the alert as the rainy season continues, aiming to prevent further tragedies.
