Police has confirmed an incident where 10 male juveniles between the ages of 11-16 years hailing from the villages of Gbuluku and Nyaute were killed by lightning at a football pitch near Odramacaku trading centre, Anzuu parish, Ayivuni Sub County, Ayivu division, Arua City.
According to Police spokesperson in West Nile Angucia Josephine, the incident happened at about 1800 hours in the evening of Thursday 27th/08/2020 when the children took shelter from rain in a grass thatched structure next to the pitch. The children were playing on the pitch before taking shelter from rain.
“Their bodies were being taken by relatives for burial meanwhile out of the four survivors, three are still receiving treatment at a nearby health center. It is a rainy season with a lot of lightning in WestNile and other similar incidents have been confirmed elsewhere in the same region.” She said
The deceased are Andrua Samuel 16yrs, Awia Kennedy 13yrs, Andama Godfrey 13yrs, Bati Gasper 15yrs, Afeku Saviour 13yrs, Edema Jasiri 15yrs, Ocatre Patrick 13yrs, Asite Jordan 11yrs, Apajobo David 12yrs, Tom 13yrs, all male juveniles.
The four survivors some of who are still receiving treatment from a nearby clinic are Ayikobua Martin 11yrs from Nyaute village, Munguci Boniface 14yrs from Nyaute village, Adriko Yofasi 14yrs from Gbuluku village and Andama Festo 9yrs from Gbuluku village.
It’s a very unfortunate and sad incident. May the souls of the deceased rest in peace and May the almighty God comfort the bereaved families in this trying moment? As for the injured, we pray for quick recovery.
