DHAKA, 05 August 2021, (TON): At least 19 people were killed and 16 others injured by lightning in two incidents in Chapainawabganj and Kishoreganj.

Of the dead, 17 including five women are from Chapainawabganj. They were travelling with a groom to a marriage ceremony.

The groom and his guests started their journey from Surynarayanpur area of Chapainawabganj by a boat for the bride's home in Panka area of Shibganj upazila.

Lightning hit the boat when it reached Telikhari Ghat near Panka around noon. The incident left 17 people dead, said Moudud Alam Khan, project implementation officer (PIO) of Chapainawabganj Sadar upazila.

As per government rules, the PIO is responsible for providing assistance to the families of the victims who die of lightning strikes.

Abdul Malek, officer-in-charge of Shibganj Police Station, said 16 of the dead were residents of Chapainawabganj Sadar upazila and the other one was from Shibganj upazila.

Ten of the injured were admitted to Chapainawabganj Sadar Hospital, said Dr Nurun Nahar, resident medical officer of the hospital.