TURA: A football tournament in a village under Phulbari in West Garo Hills turned tragic when lightning struck the venue killing one person and injuring over two dozen spectators on Tuesday afternoon.
The incident took place at Gimegre Songma village when hundreds of football fans were watching the game. To avoid the downpour, scores of people rushed to a nearby tree for shelter when a bolt of lightning struck the tree.
The impact of the lightning was so powerful that as many as 14 injured spectators had to be rushed to nearby Phulbari hospital for emergency treatment.
One of the victims of the lightning strike was declared dead while two others had to be admitted for further medical care. Twelve others were administered first aid and discharged from the hospital the same evening.
The deceased man has been identified as 22-year-old Rikcheng A Sangma of Gimegre village.
