A tragic incident occurred in Sirimalaka, Raja County, Western Bahr el Ghazal State, where four soldiers of the South Sudan People's Defense Forces (SSPDF) lost their lives after a lightning strike hit a military barracks. According to State Police Spokesperson Colonel Santino Uduol Mayen, the incident took place during the past week. The police have confirmed the incident but have yet to release further details about the identities of the deceased or whether other people were injured.
Lightning strikes are a recurring hazard in South Sudan, particularly during the rainy season when heavy thunderstorms occur. People in rural communities, military camps, schools, and markets without adequate lightning protection are exposed to this danger. International weather-safety guidance advises people to seek shelter immediately when they hear thunder. A substantial enclosed building is considered the safest shelter, while a fully enclosed vehicle with a hard roof can also provide protection.
To minimize risks, communities, schools, military facilities, and workplaces in South Sudan can take precautions such as monitoring approaching storms, identifying safe buildings where people can take shelter, and suspending outdoor activities when thunderstorms are nearby. People caught outdoors during a thunderstorm should avoid open fields, isolated trees, hilltops, water bodies, and other exposed locations, and move to a safe shelter.
In addition to the lightning strike incident, police reported several unrelated incidents in Wau during the same period. A boda boda rider, identified as Bobai Arkangelo Matthew, was attacked by passengers he had transported from Hai Lokoloko in Hai Jebel Kheir, near Medan Rabeta. The suspects shot him and took his motorcycle, and he later died from his injuries.
Furthermore, a 32-year-old man was found dead in the Hai Jebel residential area on the morning of September 28 in what police described as an apparent suicide. Colonel Santino said the circumstances surrounding the death remain under investigation. The case has been registered as Criminal Case Number 11 under Section 59 of the Criminal Procedure Act 2009.
The police are continuing investigations into the reported incidents. The SSPDF and local authorities are likely to take measures to prevent such incidents in the future, especially during the rainy season. The government and other stakeholders may also consider public awareness campaigns to educate people on the dangers of lightning strikes and the importance of taking precautions.
The incident serves as a reminder of the risks associated with lightning strikes and the need for preparedness and safety measures. The authorities' efforts to investigate and respond to these incidents will be crucial in providing support to the affected families and preventing similar incidents from occurring in the future.
Key points
- Four SSPDF soldiers killed in lightning strike in Raja County
- Lightning strikes are a recurring hazard during South Sudan's rainy season
- Authorities investigating multiple incidents in Wau, including a boda boda rider's death and an apparent suicide
