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At least 14 people were killed in Bangladesh after lightning strikes hit different parts of the country during seasonal storms, officials said Monday.
The deaths were reported across several districts as sudden thunderstorms brought heavy rain and intense lightning. Most of the victims were farmers working in open fields and laborers caught outdoors, where they had little protection. Authorities said several others were injured and taken to nearby hospitals, with some in critical condition.
Lightning strikes are a recurring hazard in Bangladesh and cause hundreds of deaths each year. In 2016, the government declared lightning a natural disaster after a surge in fatalities, including more than 200 deaths in May alone and 82 people killed in a single day.
The danger is especially high during the pre-monsoon season from April to June. During this period, rising heat and humidity create unstable weather conditions that lead to frequent thunderstorms and lightning. Some experts have linked the increase in deadly lightning incidents to deforestation, suggesting that the loss of tall trees may reduce natural lightning protection.
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