Lightning strike kills 13 children in Ugandan refugee camp

In a heart-wrenching incident at the Palabek Refugee Settlement in northwestern Uganda, a fierce lightning strike during a church service has resulted in the deaths of 13 children and one adult, with 34 others injured.

This devastating event unfolded on Saturday evening amidst torrential rains and thunderstorms, leaving the community in shock and mourning.

“It was like nothing we had ever seen,” stated Kituuma Rusoke, spokesperson for Uganda Police, in an interview.

He noted, “The lightning hit with such force. The adult killed on Saturday was just 21 years old.” While Rusoke refrained from disclosing the exact ages of the young victims, he confirmed they were all attending the service when tragedy struck.

The Palabek camp, which shelters over 80,000 individuals fleeing violence from neighboring South Sudan, now faces the aftermath of this tragic event. Jacob, a South Sudanese refugee and eyewitness, expressed his despair: “We came here seeking safety, but the storms here don’t feel safe at all.”

The region has been grappling with severe weather conditions, including heavy rains, thunder, and lightning, which have raised significant concerns for those residing in the area’s refugee camps. “The weather has been relentless,” remarked Stella Okello, a dedicated camp volunteer. “We know the storms come, but this… this was unimaginable.”

Echoing the somber sentiment, Okello recalled a similar tragedy that occurred four years ago when a lightning strike claimed the lives of 10 children in the nearby city of Arua. “It feels like history repeating itself,” she reflected. “We lost children then, too, when they were only taking a break from playing football.”

This heartbreaking incident underscores the vulnerabilities faced by refugees in overcrowded conditions that often lack adequate shelter against extreme weather. Rusoke emphasized the urgent need for improved safety measures, stating, “This is a reminder of the urgent need for better protections and infrastructure to keep these people safe.”