Fourteen die after lightning hits refugee camp during prayer service in Uganda
At least 14 people died after lightning hit a refugee camp in Uganda during a prayer service on Saturday, police said on Monday.
The incident left 34 others injured.
"On 02 November 2024, in Lamwo District there was an incident where lightning struck 14 people to death and left 34 others injured," Kituuma Rusoke, a spokesperson for the police force, wrote on X.
TRAGIC LIGHTNING CLAIMS 14 LIVES DURING PRAYER SERVICE IN LAMWO@mkituuma "On 02 November 2024, in Lamwo District there was an incident where lightning struck 14 people to death and left 34 others injured.
— Uganda Police Force (@PoliceUg) November 3, 2024
The incident happened during a prayer service at a church in Zone 8,… pic.twitter.com/NQDlu5mjqt
"The incident happened during a prayer service at a church in Zone 8, Block 2. in Palabek settlement camp," he said.
The identities of the victims have not been revealed so far.
They had gathered for the prayer when it started to rain.
"The victims, yet to be identified, had gathered for prayers when the rain started around 5:00 PM, and the lightning thunderstruck at 5:30 PM," the police spokesperson said.
The injured and deceased were taken to Paluda Health Center III.
As many as 80,000 refugees are residing in the Palabek Refugee Settlement, media reports said.
Most of the refugees are from South Sudan.
