A 12-year-old boy from Nyampande Chiefdom in Lusangazi District, Eastern Province, has tragically died after being struck by lightning.

The incident happened on Monday, November 25, 2024, when Emmanuel Banda, aged 12, was herding cattle in the early hours. 

Eastern Province Commanding Officer Robson Mweemba confirmed the incident to ZANIS, stating that both the boy’s body and one cattle were discovered a day after he went missing

Mr Mweemba said the boy had gone out to herd cattle during which it started raining and that the parents only discovered that the boy was missing the following day.

Mr Mweemba said the parents searched for the boy in the bush where they found his lifeless body lying next to cattle.

Mr Mweemba noted that the police do not suspect foul play, as physical inspection of the boy’s body and the cow revealed clear signs of lightning strikes. 

He also mentioned that the family observed that the tree the boy had been standing under during the rain was split into two by the lightning.

“When lightning strikes, the marks are visible, and if it strikes a tree, the tree will be cut down,” Mr Mweemba said.