Death toll from freak lightning strikes in Tharparkar climbs to 25

FM Qureshi directs local and provincial leadership of PTI to carry out relief work in the affected areas

The death toll from freak lightning strikes in the Tharparkar region climbed to 25 on Friday.

Women and children were among those killed as rain lashed parts of Tharparkar and Sanghar districts. Dozens of animals were also reported killed.

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on expressed deep grief and sorrow over the loss of human lives due to lightning strikes and heavy rains in Tharparkar and other areas.

In a statement, he directed the local and provincial leadership of PTI to carry out relief work in the affected areas.

He also condoled with the bereaved families and prayed for the departed souls.

According to hospital sources, several people with injuries were also shifted to different hospitals, including the district Civil Hospital Mithi.

The district administration on Thursday evening declared an emergency across the region, cancelling leaves of all employees.

Health officials confirmed that at least 10 bodies were brought to different hospitals. They said 16 injured were transported to health facilities since Wednesday late evening.

According to the health department, four persons were killed in Sanghar district due to lightening.

Three persons, including a 35-year-old woman, were killed in areas near Chhachhro town of Tharparkar due to lightening. In another incident, three persons of a family in another village were killed reportedly by the lightning strikes.

A 10-year-old was killed in a village near Kantio while a 16-year-old died in a village near Islamkot. More deaths occurred in Islamkot, Jamoo Kolhi and Mithi.

In separate incidents, a 25 and 28-year-old also died due to lightning and over two dozens were injured with the strikes were transported to hospitals of Mithi, Islamkot and Chhachhro.

Meanwhile, a heavy to moderate rainfall continues across the desert, creating panic amongst the people of Tharparkar and adjacent areas.