READ:"Dar holds public farewell for Easter Mass lightning victims."

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INNOCENT-THE BLOGGER-BOY

Coffins bearing the bodies of the eight people struck dead by lightning during a rainstorm in Kigoma-Ujiji on Tuesday lined up at Kibirizi Primary School ready for residents of the municipalities to paying their last respects to the deceased. (Photo: Correspondent Jacton Ngelly)

 A large public farewell attended by envoys, religious leaders and government officials was held yesterday in Dar es Salaam for six of the eight victims of the Tuesday lightening strike.

 

The other two, a teacher from Kibirizi Primary School, Elieza Mbwambo (25) was transported to Kilimanjaro for burial while Focas Ntahaba (35) was transported to Manyovu in Buhigwe District in Kigoma Region.

 

When paying his last respects, the Kigoma Regional Commissioner Issa Machibya said the death of the eight is mourned by the entire nation.

 

“The death of these loved ones is not only a blow to the region but the nation at large. Remember, it is barely two months since we lost six pupils and a teacher in Kasulu District in a similar lighting incident…it is a disaster,” the RC said.

 

Eight people, including six pupils, died on the spot and 15 others were injured on Tuesday after being struck by lightning in Kibirizi and Bangwe wards of Kigoma Ujiji Municipality.

 

The six pupils of Kibirizi Primary School who lost their lives are Yusuf Athumani (8), Hassan Ally (9), Walupe Kapopa (10), Shukrani Yohana (10), Fatuma Slay (7), and Zamda Seif (8).

 

 According to eye witnesses, the two incidents occurred at around 11:00 a.m. when there was a heavy down pour accompanied by lightning.

 

 The acting Doctor in Charge at the Kigoma Region Maweni Referral Hospital, Dr Fadhili Kabaya, confirmed receiving eight bodies of the deceased at around 13:00 hours and 15 injury victims. 

 

Last week,  April 7, lightning killed five people and injured 18 others during Easter Mass at the Tanzania Assemblies of God church in Chato District, Geita Region.

 

 Geita Regional Police Commander Joseph Konyo confirmed the incident. He mentioned those killed as Daud Medard (20), Daud Lazaro (20), Saimon Marco (15), Haile Shija (20) and Monica Sumuni (19).