Lightning kills 9 in E Cape
2003-12-08 14:11
Umtata - A bolt of lightning struck and killed seven people inside a house at Goqwana village near Tsolo in the Transkei, Eastern Cape police said on Monday.
Superintendent Nondumiso Jafta said five other people were taken to the St Lucy Hospital with injuries.
All the victims were in one room of the house when the lightning struck on Sunday. Their names would be released once their families have been informed, Jafta said.
Two other men died after being struck by lightning at Cradock on Saturday afternoon, said police spokesperson Captain Erris Claassen.
He said Toekie Falman, 32, and Booi Adam, 30, were waiting for a lift under a tree when rain started pouring about 14:30 on Saturday.
Lightning struck a nearby tree, and moments later another bolt killed the men.
Five other people were taken to a local hospital for treatment, said Claassen.
- SAPA