Lightning strikes claim 25 lives in Southern Punjab, Balochistan
MULTAN, April 14: A series of lightning strikes across southern Punjab and Balochistan on Saturday resulted in the tragic deaths of 25 people.
The majority of casualties, at 17, occurred in southern Punjab, with Muzaffargarh, Rahim Yar Khan, Rajanpur, Lodhran, Bahawalpur, and Bahawalnagar districts reporting fatalities. Balochistan's Nushki district suffered 8 deaths from lightning strikes.
According to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) spokesperson, lightning incidents in the six southern Punjab districts claimed 17 lives. The PDMA's Director-General contacted the affected districts' Deputy Commissioners and instructed them to prioritize providing the best possible medical care to the injured.
Rescue 1122 provided a more detailed breakdown of the fatalities in Punjab. Three separate lightning strikes in Rahim Yar Khan tragically killed 7 people, including a husband, wife, and their two children. Bahawalpur, Lodhran, and Faqirwali districts collectively reported 9 deaths, while Dunyapur reported 1.
Balochistan also suffered losses, with lightning strikes claiming 2 civilians in Chaman and Sorab, and 1 each in Qila Abdullah, Muslim Bagh, Pashin, and Dera Bugti.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif expressed his deepest condolences to the bereaved families and those who lost property in the rain and lightning. He ordered immediate action, directing authorities to provide all possible medical assistance to the injured. Additionally, the Prime Minister instructed relevant agencies, including the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), to expedite relief operations in the affected areas.
