Three Senior Secondary School students in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra were on Saturday killed by lightning.
Lightning is a natural phenomenon formed by electrostatic discharges through the atmosphere between two electrically charged regions, either both in the atmosphere or with one in the atmosphere and on the ground, temporarily neutralizing these in a near-instantaneous release of an average of one gigajoule of energy
Nine male students of Tansi International College, Awka who were playing football with their peers on the school’s pitch barefooted were affected but three of the died.
The victims are Obeta Michael, Usulor Chidubem and Obi Francis.
An eye witness told NAN that ” The students were practicing on the football pitch with their coach preparatory to a tournament.
“The coach had ended the training session before the rain started, but some of the students stayed behind to continue playing football.
“Lightning, accompanied by claps of thunderstorm, suddenly enveloped the area and the boys were struck in the process.
“A teacher heard the students screaming and running. He ran to the field and saw at least nine students trembling and jerking on the turf.
“That was when he raised the alarm and people gathered to help. The boys were immediately rushed to the school clinic, from where they were taken to a hospital in Awka.
“Six of the nine boys were resuscitated and are currently receiving treatment, but three did not survive. Their parents have been contacted,’’ the eyewitness told
