Tea pickers survive lightning strike

Ten women were on Wednesday evening treated at a dispensary after surviving a lightning strike in Banja ward, Hamisi constituency.

The women were delivering tea leaves to a buying centre in a heavy rainstorm when they were struck by a lightning bolt that threw two of them out of the building.

The two were taken to Banja Health Centre where they were treated and discharged.

A health officer at the facility who helped carry the women from the ambulance also required treatment after getting a shock when he came in contact with the patients.

Electric transfer

"At first, we thought they were dead. But following examination by the health officers, the women were found to be still alive," said Kelvin Muliango, the health officer who was also affected.

Doctors revived the women, most of whom were unconscious. Twenty others complained of receiving mild jolts.

The health officer is still admitted in the facility's intensive care unit.