HARDING, February 13 (ANA) – Three people were killed and 40 injured by lightning in the Machi area, near Harding in KwaZulu-Natal, co-operative governance and traditional affairs MEC Nomusa Dube-Ncube said on Saturday.
“The deceased are members of the Shembe Nazareth Baptist Church who are known for worshiping under trees. As the leader of the congregation was about to close the service, a tragedy struck with scores [of people] running in different directions for cover,” she said.
Forty people were injured and transported to hospital by KwaZulu-Natal Emergency Medical Service (EMS) paramedics. They were in a stable condition, “only complaining of pain in their hands and feet”. All the victims were women, between the ages of 50 and 65.
“We urge our people to be always on alert, as we are in the middle of summer. I appeal mainly to our people in the rural areas who use trees for cover in their community gatherings to disperse once clouds show there is going to be a storm. We would like to send our heartfelt condolences to the families of all victims,” Dube-Ncube said.
She also issued a stern warning to those who “disdain indigenous practices aimed at responding to thunderstorms”.
“Everyone should note that for us to minimise incidents of this nature we must get the basics right because indigenous practices have gone a long way to save lives in the past before lightning conductors. These basics are still relevant today.
“In our summer season awareness campaigns we always urge people to guard against seeking cover under trees. We always ask parents to watch children who are playing in an open field. We must always bear in mind that temperatures are very high and there is always likelihood that we may have thunder and lightning in the afternoons. So we must take precautionary measures to save lives,” said Dube-Ncube.
– African News Agency (ANA)
