Nawada, July 19: In a tragic incident, at least eight children after lightning struck Dhanapur village in Bihar’s Nawada on Friday. Nine people were also injured in the incident. According to reports, all the children were aged 15 years or below. The incident took place when the children had taken shelter under a tree while it was raining. Maharashtra: Lightning Strike Kills 8-Year-Old Boy in Palghar District.

The deceased have been identified as Ramesh Manjhi (26), Chhotu Manjhi, Ganesh Manjhi and Monu Manjhi (all 15 years old), Nitish Manjhi (12), Pravesh Kumar (10), Chhotu Manjhi (08) and Muni Lal Manjhi (05). Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar issued a statement expressing grief over the tragedy. He also announced an ex-gratia of Rs four lakh to the next of the kin of each deceased. Jammu and Kashmir: Over 200 Sheep, Goats Killed by Lightning in Ganderbal.

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The Bihar Government directed authorities to provide proper medical assistance to the injured. Former Chief Minister and Hindustani Awam Morcha president Jitan Ram Manjhi also expressed grief over the incident.

On July 10, a child also lost his life after a portion of a wall of BSNL office collapsed on makeshift shelters adjacent to it in Patna. Meanwhile, a total of 78 people have died so far in the flash floods that have hit Bihar in the wake of torrential rainfall in adjoining Nepal.

(With inputs from PTI)

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 19, 2019 08:03 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).