17 People Killed by Lightning Strike at Wedding Celebration

Bangladeshi police announced on Wednesday that at least 17 people were killed and more than 12 injured when lightning struck a wedding celebration on a boat in the northwest of the country. Police official Farid Hossain stated, "The lightning struck the boat as it reached the banks of the Padma River in the town of Shibganj, while the guests were on their way to the bride's home." He added, "We have information about 17 fatalities, and many others have been admitted to the hospital." Fire service official Mehr Islam reported that "14 people were taken to the hospital, and the groom was among the injured." Lightning kills hundreds each year in Bangladesh, which declared it a natural disaster in 2016, when lightning claimed more than 200 lives in May alone, including 82 on a single day.