Lightning strikes kill 11, injure 15 in eastern India

Lightning strikes kill 11, injure 15 in India

CALCUTTA, India — Officials say at least 11 people have been killed and 15 others seriously injured after being struck by lightning in eastern India.

The deaths occurred in two separate incidents Tuesday in Burdwan district in West Bengal state. The area is 75 miles (120 kilometers) northwest of the state capital, Calcutta.

Local government official Rajesh Singh says nine people, including four children, were killed as they ate lunch inside a room during a thunderstorm, and two others died as they worked in their fields the same afternoon.

He says the injured are being treated for burns at a local hospital.