13 Children Among 14 Killed by Lightning Strike in Ugandan Refugee Camp

At least 13 children were among 14 fatalities when lightning struck a makeshift church in the Palabek refugee camp in northern Uganda, Anadolu Agency reported yesterday.

The incident occurred during a heavy storm on Saturday evening, as around 50 people sought shelter inside the structure.

Police spokesman Kituuma Rusoke reported that 34 individuals sustained injuries and were subsequently treated at local health centers. Fortunately, there were no fires following the lightning strike.

Uganda is known for having one of the highest rates of lightning-related deaths globally, as noted by the World Meteorological Organization. In a tragic incident in 2021, 18 schoolchildren and their teacher were killed by lightning in a classroom in the Kiryandongo district. Such incidents are particularly common during the wet season in Uganda, highlighting the ongoing risks faced by communities in the region.