Lightning strike kills BGB member on patrol in Kurigram

A Rowmari hospital physician declared him dead, according to the BGB

A member of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has been killed in a lightning strike while patrolling near the border in Kurigram’s Rowmari Upazila.

Four BGB members and an Ansar man suffered injuries in the incident that occurred on the Chhat Karaibari-Dharampur border of the Upazila’s Dadevanga union around 1am on Thursday, Rowmari Police Station chief Lutfor Rahman said.

The deceased, 32-year-old Riyad Hossain, was a member of the Jamaplur 35 BGB Battalion’s Dadevanga Border Outpost (BOP). He hails from Netrokona.

The injured are – BGB members Jasim Uddin, 52, Nadim Mia, 28, Shahinur Rahman Shahin, 28, sepoy Mamun, 29, and Ansar member Ferdous Hossain, 36.

BGB 35 Battalion camp commander Subedar Farid confirmed the matter.

A group of BGB soldiers and an Ansar member were patrolling the border near the main international pillar 1056 in Rowmari. It started raining with thunder and lightning at that time, leaving five BGB members and one BGB soldier injured. Later, they were taken to the Rowmari Upazila Health Complex where doctors declared Riyad dead, the BGB said.

Nabiul Islam, the resident medical officer (RMO) of the health complex, said Riyad was brought dead to the hospital after being struck by lightning. Among the injured, Shahin and Nadim were sent to Mymensingh Medical College Hospital in critical condition. The others are being treated at the hospital.

Lt Col Hasanur Rahman, commander of Jamalpur-35 BGB Battalion, said the authorities took measures to provide necessary medical treatment to the injured.