At least three people have lost their lives in separate lightning strikes across three upazilas of Noakhali district within the past 24 hours, casting a deep pall of grief over the region. The deceased have been identified as nine-year-old Md Ayman from Kabirhat, 21-year-old Arafat from Hatiya, and 17-year-old Tanzila Akter from Subarnachar.
According to local sources and district administration officials, the incidents occurred in different locations and times between Monday and Tuesday, highlighting the continued vulnerability of rural and coastal communities in Bangladesh to sudden thunderstorms during the pre-monsoon period.
The first fatality was reported in Subarnachar upazila early Tuesday morning. Around 7:00 am, Tanzila Akter, daughter of Sheikh Mozammel Santu of Nayapara village under Char Aman Ullah Union, was struck by lightning while walking near her home. She was a first-year Alim student at a local Fazil Madrasa and was described by teachers and relatives as a bright and diligent student. Her sudden death has left her family and neighbours in profound shock. It is further noted that she had previously achieved a top position in her madrasa examinations, making her loss even more distressing for the community.
In a separate incident in Kabirhat upazila, Md Ayman, a child from Char Mondolia village in Dhan Shalik Union, died on Monday afternoon. He was playing in the courtyard of his home when lightning struck during a sudden storm. He was immediately taken to the Upazila Health Complex, where attending doctors declared him dead upon arrival. He was the son of Rafique Miah.
Meanwhile, in Hatiya upazila, another tragic incident occurred in Purbagomchakhali village of Char Ishwar Union. Arafat, a 21-year-old youth, was returning home after collecting peanuts from a field when he was struck by lightning. Witnesses said he was accompanied by his mother at the time, who saw the incident unfold before her eyes. The event has left the family devastated.
Local administration officials and police authorities have confirmed all three deaths and stated that separate investigations have been initiated into the incidents.
Summary of Victims
| Name | Age | Upazila | Circumstances of Death | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Md Ayman | 9 | Kabirhat | Struck while playing in courtyard | Monday afternoon |
| Arafat | 21 | Hatiya | Struck while returning from field | Monday afternoon |
| Tanzila Akter | 17 | Subarnachar | Struck while walking near home | Tuesday, 7:00 am |
Bangladesh experiences a notably high incidence of lightning-related fatalities during the monsoon and pre-monsoon seasons, particularly in low-lying rural, riverine, and coastal areas such as Noakhali. Experts and local residents continue to emphasise the importance of public awareness, timely weather alerts, and adherence to safety precautions during thunderstorms to reduce the risk of further loss of life.
The simultaneous deaths of three individuals in a single district within such a short span have intensified mourning across Kabirhat, Hatiya, and Subarnachar, with grieving families and communities calling for greater preparedness against natural hazards.