A tragic lightning strike during a church service at Uganda’s Palabek Refugee Settlement claimed the lives of 14 people, all of whom were children, according to local police. The incident took place on Saturday evening as heavy rains swept through the north-western region of the country, known for frequent thunderstorms.
In addition to the fatalities, 34 other attendees were injured in the strike. The Palabek Refugee Settlement, which shelters over 80,000 refugees and asylum seekers, primarily from South Sudan, was struck during an especially severe storm.
A local official confirmed the deaths in a radio broadcast, describing the somber atmosphere following the disaster. This incident follows a similar tragedy four years ago in Arua, also in north-western Uganda, where 10 children lost their lives to lightning while playing football.
