Lightning strike kills ten children while playing football in the north-western Uganda city of Arua after sheltering in a hut during a storm.

Killer lightning is common in the East African country during the wet seasons. Uganda’s north-western region has recently been hit by severe rainstorms, thunder, and lightning.

All the kids had been playing football in a field when the storm hit, revealed police spokeswoman Josephine Angucia. They were still playing when heavy rain forced them to take a break in a nearby grass-thatched structure which was struck by lightning.

Nine children, aged 13 to 15, were killed on the spot. The tenth child died from lightning while being taken to a hospital. The three survivors are receiving treatment at the regional hospital.

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Esther Ogundipe
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