Pupil dies, another injured in lightning strike

A Form two (2) Pupil at Chilonga Secondary School in Mpika District of Muchinga Province has died while a grade 11 pupil suffers severe burns after they were struck by lightning. The incident has been confirmed by both Mpika District Commissioner David Siame and Chilonga Secondary School Head Teacher Webby Bwalya today. The DC said the incident happened few metres away from Chilonga Secondary School premises around 17:00 hours yesterday.

Mr Siame said the sudden death of the pupil has left both the school management and family of the girl devastated. “May Good comfort the family of the deceased girl,” he said. Meanwhile Chilonga Secondary School Head Teacher Webby Bwalya has identified the deceased form 2 pupil as Matrida Bwalya aged 14 and a grade 11 pupil as Karen Mulenga aged 17 who is currently admitted at Chilonga mission hospital in Mpika.

The Headteacher explained that on the material day, the two pupils were playing around near Chilonga Secondary School premises after knocking of from school, when lightning strake killing a form 2 pupil. “It is unbearable to lose a child in such a manner,” he said. The Headteacher has since encouraged the bereaved family to put everything in the hands of God.

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Mrs Chileshe said the girl has been discharged from Intensive Care Unit (ICU) to an ordinary ward at Chilonga mission hospital. “The Hospital Management is very happy that the girl who is currently admitted at Chilonga Hospital is out of danger,” she said.

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