Republished June 25, 2020 - 7:56 AM
Original Publication Date June 25, 2020 - 2:31 AM
PATNA, India - Lightning killed 83 people, mostly farm workers, during thunderstorms across Bihar state in eastern India on Thursday, a government official said.
Many were struck as they were planting seeds in 23 of the state's 38 districts, a government statement said.
Thirteen deaths were reported in Gopalganj district, 175 kilometres (110 miles) north of Patna, the state capital, said official Upendra Pal. The rest were scattered in other parts of the state.
Pal said at least 10 others were injured and were receiving hospital treatment.
Heavy rains before the onset of the monsoon season have hit the region. In July last year, lightning killed 39 people in Bihar, also during monsoon rains, which last until September.
News from © The Associated Press, 2020