Six family members, including four children killed in lightning strike

KAMPALA - Six members of a family, including four children, were killed after lightning struck their home during a heavy downpour in northwestern Uganda on Saturday, police said, reported Xinhua.

Josephine Angucia, spokesperson for the West Nile Regional Police, said the lightning struck the family's house in Maracha District.

According to local authorities, the lightning strike triggered a fire that rapidly engulfed the house.

"At the time of the incident, all six members of the family were asleep inside the house and were unable to escape. The fire spread quickly, destroying the structure and killing those inside before any rescue could be carried out,” a statement issued by Oleba Town Council said.

Police said the victims included the parents and their four children.

Angucia said a team of police forensic experts had been dispatched to the scene for further investigations. - BERNAMA-XINHUA