At least eight farmers were killed and six others were injured in lightning strikes in Matikora area of Ullapara upazila in Sirajganj on Thursday afternoon.

The deceased were identified as Mokam Hossain, 60, Monnaf Hossain, 18, Shamsher Ali, 62, Shahin, 32, and Akhter Hossain, 60, residents of village Shibpur, and Kuddus, 60, Shah Alam, 42, and Ritu Khatun, 14, residents of village Matikora in Ullapara upazila.

Ullapara police officer-in-charge Nazrul Islam said that the accident took place at about 4:30pm while the victims took shelter from rain at a shallow room located in a field where they were sowing saplings.

Eight farmers died on the spot while six sustained injuries, the OC said, adding that the injured were undergoing treatment at Ullapara Health Complex.