Lightning has killed three women, three men and a toddler since Monday, bringing this year’s lightning death toll to 98, officials said.
Lightning struck dead 1-year-old Ti Vuo, his mother, Yan Mom, 22, and his grandmother Chan Trang, 37, on Tuesday afternoon in Prey Veng province’s Kompong Trabek district, said Cheang Dek commune chief Un Sophat.
They “were struck and killed instantly by the same lightning strike in the same place while sitting under a shelter for ducks during heavy rain,” Mr Sophat said.
In Prey Veng province’s Preah Sdech district, lightning killed Em Kroeun, 42, and injured his wife while they were in a rice field during a rainstorm on Tuesday, said Banteay Chakrei commune chief Yors Sam Ang. “The body of the victim was burned all over,” he said. “I appeal to everyone to watch out for themselves during rainfall.”
Lightning on Tuesday also killed Chhoy Brok, 25, in a field about 800 meters from his house in Svay Rieng province’s Svay Chrum district, said Kruos commune police chief Ros Eang. “The victim’s neck was broken and he was covered in burns,” Mr Eang said.
In Kompong Cham province’s Tbong Khmum district on Monday, lightning struck dead Li Ma Ath, 18, and injured his brother-in-law Li Al Fary while they were fishing in a stream, said Rokap Pram commune chief Seng Mi. “After the lightning struck, people who lived in the men’s village carried the bodies to their homes,” Mr Mi said, noting that a village doctor treated Mr Al Fary at home.
Keo Vy, deputy director of the National Committee for Disaster Management’s information department, said lightning had killed 98 people and injured 74 others so far this year, adding that lightning also killed an 18-year-old woman on Wednesday in Oddar Meanchey province’s Samraong City.
