Joseph Isangura
five members of a pastoralist family lost their lives, and five others sustained injuries after being struck by lightning during heavy rains in Isangawane Village, Matwiga Ward, Chunya District, Mbeya Region.
The incident occurred overnight on December 29, 2024, as the victims were sleeping in a makeshift livestock shelter.
Regional Police Commander Benjamin Kuzaga confirmed the fatalities, identifying the deceased as Balaa Scania (28), Masele Masiganya (16), Hemi Tati (10), Manangu Ngwisa (18), and Kulwa Lawaje (10). The injured, all residents of Nkinga Hamlet in Isangawane Village, include Manyenge Masagala (13), Serusi Solo (13), Paskalia Kalez (16), Gulu Scania (30), and Huruma Kalezi (19).
Matwiga Ward Councillor Frank Mkondo provided further details, stating that the heavy rains began at midnight and lasted for nearly two hours, accompanied by intense lightning. “Tragically, this resulted in the immediate deaths of five individuals and injuries to six others. The victims were camping in the area with their livestock,” Mkondo said.
Following the storm, villagers alerted authorities. Local leaders arrived at the scene, discovering the five bodies and several injured individuals requiring urgent assistance. The injured were transported to a nearby dispensary for first aid. Councillor Mkondo noted that burial preparations for the deceased are underway.
The incident highlights the challenges faced by residents in accessing healthcare. The nearest health facility is seven kilometers away, a distance made more daunting by Chunya District’s poor infrastructure and difficult terrain. “Residents of Isangawane Village often rely on essential medicine shops for healthcare due to the lack of nearby facilities,” Mkondo explained.
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He called on the government to bring essential services closer to residents, including deploying adequate medical personnel. When contacted, Chunya District Commissioner Mbarak Batenga stated he had not yet received details of the incident but promised to follow up and provide clarification.
This tragedy marks the second lightning-related fatality in the area this month, with an earlier incident claiming one life. It underscores the need for increased awareness and preventive measures against lightning strikes, especially during the rainy season.
Lightning strikes are a significant cause of natural hazard-related deaths in various parts of the world. For instance, in India, lightning has killed more than 100,000 people between 1967 and 2019, accounting for more than a third of fatalities caused by natural hazards during this period.
In Africa, there have been instances of high mortality due to lightning strikes. For example, in 1994, a lightning strike in Dronka, Egypt, led to an explosion and floods, resulting in a large number of fatalities.
Given the recurrent nature of such incidents, it is imperative for local authorities and communities to implement safety measures, such as installing lightning rods and educating the public on how to protect themselves during thunderstorms.
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