POLICE say four people have died after being struck by lightning in separate incidences within Mongu District of Western Province.

And police say a 23-year-old man drowned in a swimming pool at a named lodge in Mongu.

In a statement, Sunday, deputy police public relations officer Danny Mwale said among the four who were struck by lightning was a couple.

“In the lightening incidences, Police recorded four cases which occurred on the same day, February 26, 2022 and at the same time, 15:00 hours in different locations within Mongu District in which the victims identified as Mwashekwa Lyamba aged 40 and his wife identified as Carol Nakakena Liisimba aged 35 of Ilute plots died on the spot after being struck by lightning at their house. The other incident occurred at Ngalama area where Hilda Namangolwa aged 52 died on the spot after she was struck by lightning at her house in Ngalama area while Wumba Minganja aged 45 also of Ngalama area was struck by lightning and died on the spot on her way to church at Tungi area. The bodies of the four deceased have been deposited in Lewanika General Hospital Mortuary waiting for postmortem,” Mwale stated.

“On February 23, 2022, Police recorded a case of sudden and unnatural death in which Three Children from the same family were struck by lightning and died on the spot. The incident occurred at 15:00 hours in Nalolo District.”

Meanwhile, Mwale stated that a 23-year-old man had drowned in Mongu.

“And a 23 year old man identified as Kelvin Kaselo drowned in a swimming pool at a named lodge in Nalisila area in Mongu. Police visited the scene and the body of the deceased has since been deposited in Lewanika General Hospital Mortuary awaiting postmortem. Inquiry files have been opened in both incidents,” stated Mwale.