Lightning Strikes Kills Over 50 In India

Over 50 people lost their lives in lightning strikes across several states in India, including 11 people at a historic ‘Amer fort’ according to the authorities on Monday.

Every year, hundreds of people die in powerful storms at the start of the monsoon season, which brings relief from the summer heat across the northern Indian plains.

According to the media reports, around 10 other people died on Sunday in Rajasthan’s desert state, and at least 42 killed in different districts of Uttar Pradesh, India’s most populous state, authorities added.

In Jaipur (Rajasthan’s capital), bolts struck two towers at the 12th-century Amer Fort, filled with visitors watching the storm cross the city.

"It was raining already when the people were there. They gathered in the towers owing to intensified rainfall," said Saurabh Tiwari, a senior Jaipur police officer.

People came to the fort to have a scenic view across Jaipur, after numerous weeks of intense heat in the state.

According to police, eleven people were died whereas 17 were injured, with three in critical condition. As stated by Tiwari, around 30 people were on the towers when the lightning hit them.

"Few of the wounded were left unconscious by the strikes while Others ran out in fear and extreme pain," Tiwari elaborated.

On Monday, emergency teams were examining if any victims had fallen into a deep ditch on one side of the watchtowers.

Read more: Horrifying Bangladesh Fire Incident Killed Dozens

Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered condolences on Monday and stated that special payments would be made to the families of died.