Fourteen individuals, including a 9-year-old girl, died in a lightning strike during a prayer service at the Palabek settlement camp in northern Uganda on November 3. Thirty-four others were injured, highlighting the lack of anti-lightning infrastructure in the area. The victims were reportedly from South Sudan.

Victims of a tragic lightning strike in the Palabek settlement camp, located in northern Uganda, were laid to rest on Sunday, November 3. The victims had gathered for a prayer session when rain began to fall around 5:00 PM on Saturday, with the lightning strike occurring approximately thirty minutes later.

Authorities confirmed that 14 individuals were killed, which included eight males. In addition, 34 others sustained injuries and were treated at a nearby health center.

In Uganda, fatal lightning strikes are often reported during the rainy season. “From the figures we identified, we had 14 mortalities. These individuals died on the spot, and their ages ranged from 9 to 21, with the youngest being a 9-year-old girl and the oldest a 21-year-old male,” stated a police spokesperson. Investigations revealed that there was a lack of anti-lightning infrastructure in the area.

At the time of the incident, the victims were inside a makeshift metallic structure attending the prayer service. Reports indicate that the deceased were originally from South Sudan.