News / Regional
Lightning strikes two more victims
29 Feb 2012 at 00:24hrs | Views
A GWANDA man from Shanyaugwe village and his 22-year-old grandson died on the spot after they were struck by a bolt of lightning bringing to six the number of people who have so far died from lightning in Matabeleland South Province. The provincial police spokesperson, Sergeant Loveness Mangena, said the incident occurred on Friday at about 1pm at Shanyaugwe village in Guyu area of Gwanda district.
"On the fateful day, Roseman Ndlovu, his wife Canisia and their 22-year-old grandson, Malvin Ndlovu, were seated under a tree drinking home-made traditional brew when some light showers accompanied by thunder and a bolt of lightning started. Roseman and his grandson, Malvin, were then struck by lightning and they both died on the spot," she said.
Ndlovu's wife escaped unhurt and she then rushed home and alerted other villagers.
A report was made to the police who attended the scene.
Sgt Mangena said they suspected no foul play and post-mortem was waived.
The two men have since been buried at their homestead.
"As police we would like to urge people to desist from sitting or standing under trees in the event of lightning or thunder as we continue to handle several similar cases in the province," said the police spokesperson.
Last week four pupils from Ntalale Secondary School in Gwanda district and Ngwanyana Primary School in Mangwe District were killed by lightning while several others sustained injuries ranging from severe burns, headaches and painful eyes.
According to fulminology (study of lightning) experts, lightning occurs during thunderstorms and sometimes during volcanic eruptions or dust storms.
It can be caused by violent forest fires, which generate sufficient dust to create a static charge (spark).
From this discharge of atmospheric electricity, a leader of a bolt of lightning can travel at speeds of 220 000 km/h (140 000 mph), and can reach temperatures approaching 30 000°C (54 000°F), hot enough to fuse silica sand into glass channels known as fulgurites, which are normally hollow and can extend some distance into the ground.
There are reportedly about 16 million lightning storms in the world every year.
"On the fateful day, Roseman Ndlovu, his wife Canisia and their 22-year-old grandson, Malvin Ndlovu, were seated under a tree drinking home-made traditional brew when some light showers accompanied by thunder and a bolt of lightning started. Roseman and his grandson, Malvin, were then struck by lightning and they both died on the spot," she said.
Ndlovu's wife escaped unhurt and she then rushed home and alerted other villagers.
A report was made to the police who attended the scene.
Sgt Mangena said they suspected no foul play and post-mortem was waived.
The two men have since been buried at their homestead.
"As police we would like to urge people to desist from sitting or standing under trees in the event of lightning or thunder as we continue to handle several similar cases in the province," said the police spokesperson.
Last week four pupils from Ntalale Secondary School in Gwanda district and Ngwanyana Primary School in Mangwe District were killed by lightning while several others sustained injuries ranging from severe burns, headaches and painful eyes.
According to fulminology (study of lightning) experts, lightning occurs during thunderstorms and sometimes during volcanic eruptions or dust storms.
It can be caused by violent forest fires, which generate sufficient dust to create a static charge (spark).
From this discharge of atmospheric electricity, a leader of a bolt of lightning can travel at speeds of 220 000 km/h (140 000 mph), and can reach temperatures approaching 30 000°C (54 000°F), hot enough to fuse silica sand into glass channels known as fulgurites, which are normally hollow and can extend some distance into the ground.
There are reportedly about 16 million lightning storms in the world every year.
Source - Ziana
