Three male students of an unnamed private secondary school in Okpuno, Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria, have died while playing football on the school field.
Reports say the incident happened late Saturday during rainfall which was accompanied by breeze and thunderstorms.
An eyewitness said that the students were practising on the school’s pitch in preparation for a football competition before the lightning started.
The eyewitness further said that about nine students were involved while six of them were resuscitated later at the school’s clinic where they were first rushed to.
The source said: “The boys were practising on the football pitch with their coach in preparation for a football tournament.
“The coach had ended the practice session before the rains started, but some of the students stayed behind to continue playing football.
“Lightning, accompanied by claps of thunderstorms suddenly enveloped the area and the boys were struck in the process”
Witness reports added that “a teacher heard the students screaming and running. He ran to the field and saw at least nine students trembling and jerking on the turf.
“That was when he raised the alarm and people gathered to help. The boys were immediately rushed to the school clinic, from where they were taken to hospital in Awka.
“Six of the nine boys were resuscitated and are currently receiving treatment, but three did not survive. Their parents have been contacted.”
A resident, identified as Hope Egwu, told journalists that the news of the accident went round the community on Sunday before it was made public, adding that everyone had been held spellbound.