On a fateful Saturday, a lightning strike claimed the lives of 14 individuals during a prayer service at the Palabek refugee camp in Uganda. The incident, which occurred in the Lamwo district of northern Uganda, also left 34 others injured, as confirmed by local authorities.
The victims, who are yet to be identified, had gathered for prayers when the sudden rain began around 5:00 PM. Tragically, at 5:30 PM, a bolt of lightning struck, resulting in the devastating loss of lives. The Palabek refugee camp, situated on the Uganda-South Sudan border, is home to approximately 80,000 individuals, with the majority having fled from South Sudan due to ongoing instability in the region.
Notably, South Sudan has been grappling with unrest since the formal end of a civil war in 2020, further exacerbating the challenges faced by its populace. Lightning strikes are a common occurrence in Africa's central belt, with Uganda being no exception to such incidents.
This unfortunate event is not the first of its kind in Uganda. In 2020, a lightning strike in north-west Uganda claimed the lives of ten children, highlighting the deadly nature of such natural phenomena. Similarly, in 2011, another tragic incident saw 18 children and their teacher lose their lives to a lightning strike, underscoring the need for heightened awareness and safety measures in vulnerable areas.
As the community mourns the loss of those affected by this recent tragedy, authorities are likely to emphasize the importance of preparedness and caution during adverse weather conditions to prevent such heartbreaking incidents from reoccurring.
