Lightning strikes twice in Zambia

The groups of prisoners were struck twice

By Anthony Kunda in Lusaka

Lightning has struck a group of prisoners twice during a heavy downpour in Kabwe, a small mining town located 140 km north of the Zambian capital, Lusaka, killing three inmates.

Prisons Commissioner Phillip Sinyangwe said the incident happened on Wednesday afternoon when a group of 213 inmates of Mukobeko maximum security prison were returning from a prison farm on the town's outskirts.

The rain started falling when the party was within a few minutes walk of the prison buildings.

The first strike of lightning hit a leading group of about 20 inmates, who were knocked to the ground.

Within seconds there was another peal of thunder followed by lightning which hit another part of the group, throwing many to the ground.

Several others nearby fainted in shock.

Hospital trip

When the thunder and lightning abated, it was discovered that three inmates had burnt to death.

Their charred bodies were immediately conveyed to the mortuary of Kabwe general hospital.

Seventeen other inmates were admitted to the same hospital for treatment for minor injuries and shock.

All of them have since been discharged.

Mystery

Prison authorities are still in a dilemma as to what could have attracted lightning to strike the prison inmates twice, when all they were carrying were some farming implements - hoes, axes and rakes, and bundles of firewood.

Prison commissioner Sinyangwe said: "We are at a loss as to what could have caused this tragedy."

The relatives of the three dead inmates have been informed of the tragedy. But none of them have arrived as yet.

Mr Sinyangwe said the prison authorities would bear all the funeral expenses and reimburse transport money for the bereaved families.

Ordinary people, saddened by the tragedy, said prison authorities should, in future ensure, that inmates do not go out in the open fields when there is a possibility of storms.

But Commissioner Sinyangwe said: "You can't guard against such things. It can happen anywhere, anytime".

That lightning should have hit the inmates twice though must be classed as extremely unlucky.