Three students out of about nine who were carrying out football training in a secondary school in Awka have been struck dead by thunder.
The students were supposed to be training with their coach in preparation for a football match with another school when the incident happened on Saturday evening.
Awka, the Anambra State capital, had on Saturday experienced heavy rainfall that was accompanied by lightning and thunder strikes.
An eye witness said nine of the students were by the thunder, but six were later revived, while three died. The source said the students were playing barefoot in the rain.
“The students were practising on the football pitch with their coach, preparatory to a football tournament.
“The coach had ended the training session before the rain started, but some students stayed behind to continue playing football.
“Lightning, accompanied by claps of thunderstorms, suddenly enveloped the area, and the boys were struck.
“A teacher heard the students screaming and running. He ran to the field and saw 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 a hospital in Awka.
“Six of the nine boys were renewed and are currently receiving treatment, but three did not survive. Their parents have been contacted,’’ the source said.
Spokesman of Anambra State Police Command, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, said police were not aware of the incident, as no official report had been received.