At least 26 persons were killed in lightning strikes in three districts of south Bengal on Monday, state officials said.
11 people died in Hooghly district, 9 in Murshidabad, 2 in Bankura, 2 each in East Midnapore and West Midnapore. Three more persons were injured in lightning strikes in the Murshidabad district and were admitted to the Jangipur hospital.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the deaths and approved an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each for the next of kin of those killed and Rs 50,000 for the injured.
Thunderstorms with lightning and gusty wind occurred in several districts of south Bengal in the evening after a sweltering day, the Met department said.
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