Nine killed in lightning strike in Bengal

Kolkata, July 10 (IANS) Nine people were killed after being struck by lightning in West Bengal's Howrah district Thursday, an official said.

The incident occurred in Shyampur area of the district. Six others were injured and have been hospitalised.

"Nine of them died on the way... six more were injured and were admitted to the Uluberia subdivisional hospital. Out of them five are critical," the official said.

At a function in Birbhum, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced Rs.2 lakh compensation each for the kin of the dead and cautioned people against venturing in extreme weather conditions.