Two fisherwomen killed in lightning strike

Two fisherwomen were killed and two others injured when lightning struck them near Hukitola Island in Kendrapara district today, police said.

The victims were on a fishing voyage on a boat when lightning struck near the island located under the jurisdiction of Mahakalpada police station, they said.

The deceased have been identified as Dipali Mandal (42) and Pannti Mandal (55) of Jamboo village, while two fishermen accompanying them received burn wounds and were taken to hospital for treatment, the police said, adding that a case of unnatural death has been registered in this connection.

As lightning is a state-specific disaster, next of kin of the deceased persons would be disbursed Rs 4 lakh ex-gratia from special relief fund, said officials.

(PTI)