Chaibasa: A 9-year-old child died on Saturday evening after being struck by lightning in Bara Lunti village, located within the jurisdiction of the Kumardungi police station in the West Singhbhum district. The incident has cast a pall of gloom over the entire village. The deceased has been identified as Suraj Tiria. He was the son of Pradhan Tiria and a Class 2 student at the Balmuchusai Primary School.
According to reports, Suraj was playing outside his home with other children on Saturday evening. Suddenly, the weather took a turn for the worse, and rain accompanied by strong winds began to fall. To take shelter from the rain, three children stood beneath a nearby tree. It is reported that Suraj was standing while holding onto a branch of the tree. At that moment, amidst a loud clap of thunder, lightning struck the tree, and Suraj sustained severe injuries after being caught in its path. The impact of the lightning was so intense that even his clothes were scorched.
Following the incident, villagers present nearby immediately rushed to the spot and took the child to the Kumardungi Community Health Centre for treatment. Upon examination, doctors there declared him dead. Another child also sustained a mild shock during the incident, though his condition is reported to be stable.
Pradhan Tiria stated that Suraj Tiria was the youngest of six siblings. He was a lively child who took a keen interest in his studies. His sudden death has left the family in deep shock.
