Narinjara News, May 14, 2025 

A lightning bolt in Zin Kha Chey village, located in Kyauktaw Township of Rakhine State, claimed the lives of three individuals, one of whom was a young girl, and left three others injured, including two children, around 3:30 pm on May 13. 

The victims were identified as Ma Myat Yuwadi (4 years old), who was enrolled in the village kindergarten; Daw Hla Kyar Nyo (82 years old), and U U Thaung Kyaw (60 years old). 

The wounded victims included Maung Kyi Sin Lin (6 years old), who was in Grade 1, Maung Aung Kyaw (8 years old), a Grade 2 student, and Maung Htun Nay Lin (18 years old). 

A family member of Maung Kyi Sin Lin informed Narinjara that the six individuals, who were relatives, were struck by lightning while seated at the entrance of U U Thaung Kyaw's house. 

"At approximately 3:20 p.m., a gentle breeze and light rain occurred, prompting everyone to enter the house." In that moment, lightning struck, and they were all affected there. The wounded Nay Tun Lin later mentioned that he observed a ray of light enter the house during the lightning strike. He also passed out for a brief period. "The deceased were not deformed; they simply collapsed and passed away," she stated. 

Among the three victims, U U Thaung Kyaw succumbed to a slight loss of blood from his head, whereas the other two passed away without sustaining any injuries. 

Likewise, among those hurt, Maung Kyi Sin Lin was struck in his right eye, while Maung Naing Kyaw sustained a head injury. Maung Htun Nay Lin did not incur any severe injuries. 

Among the six, U Thaung Kyaw, who passed away, was weaving a bamboo fence in front of his residence just before the lightning hit, while Daw Hla Kyar Nyo and Maung Htun Nay Lin were sitting close by. 

The woman remarked that the other three kids were playing close by. 

"She mentioned that all six of them suffered fatalities and injuries after being hit by lightning as they were going into their home because of the rain." 

An umbrella that was hanging on the house's roof ignited during the lightning strike, but it was put out quickly, preventing the house from catching fire. 

Among those hurt, Maung Htun Sin Lin is presently undergoing medical care for an eye injury. The villagers stated that the deceased were interred in the village cemetery yesterday. 

The village has over 400 homes and is situated on Oh Kyun, to the east of the upper Kaladan River.