Five killed in lightning in Kandhamal

Phulbani: Five persons, including three women, were killed and seven others critically injured in three separate lightning incidents in three villages under in Kandhamal district, police said today.

Three persons, including a woman, were killed and four sustained injuries at Raikhole when they were sitting in the verandah of a house and lightning struck it yesterday.

Similarly in Mandakia village, a woman identified as Sabitri Pradhan died on the spot in front of her house and two sustained grievous injuries yesterday, they said.

In another incident at Badapanga village, a woman was killed and her husband critically injured due to lightning when they were returning from their corn field on Saturday.

The injured were admitted to hospitals.