4 children struck by lightning and 8 others injured in Senegal

Four children, including two twins, from the same family, were killed by lightning that struck a village in northwestern Senegal, local media reported.

The tragedy occurred Friday afternoon in the village of Djielane in the district of Koki (Louga), according to the same sources.

According to Lieutenant Mame Kor Sall, Commander of the Louga firefighters company, the emergency services were alerted, around 4.35 p.m., by citizens indicating that a bolt of lightning struck people in the village of Djielane and caused a number of victims.

The emergency services dispatched to the scene noted “a descent of lightning on a hut where children were sheltering from the rain,” added the same source.

“Sadly, four children, all were male, lost their lives. Eight wounded were counted, including three in serious condition,” said the official.

“These are natural disasters that happen often. But we call on the authorities to assist this village. This case also raises the issue of the installation of lightning rods in the town of Gueth Ardo. It was a state program. We had expressed our needs and until now, we are waiting,” lamented in statements to the local media, Talibouya Kâ, mayor of the commune of Gueth Ardo, where the tragedy took place.

The victims’ lifeless bodies, aged 7 and 12, and the seriously injured were evacuated to Louga hospital.