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Lightning Kills Scores In Bangladesh Over 48 Hours

More than 60 people have died after being struck by lightning in Bangladesh over the past two days, causing some panic among the local population. Most victims have been farmers working in their fields. VOA reports: After a nearly weeklong heat wave scorched Bangladesh, thunderstorms hit the country’s 14 districts Thursday. The storm produced lightning strikes that killed at least 33 people. Another series of lightning strikes Friday killed at least 23 other people. The lightning strikes also injured scores of other people in the past two days. Most of the people who died or were injured across the country were working in farmlands or were in open spaces when they were struck, police said. Seasonal weather Deaths caused by lightning strike often occur during the premonsoon season — usually between March and May — and often in rural areas where people work outdoors. Pabna police officer Abul Hossain told VOA that eight people in Pabna district alone were killed by lightning strikes, adding that the number of people killed in such a short time “has left many people panicking.” Last year, 51 people were killed by lightning. But there have already been 90 deaths — including the 56 killed [...]