One person is feared dead while two others are reported injured after lightning struck them during a brief rain in Ho, the Volta Regional Capital.
The deceased, identified as Emmanuel Dorli, a 17-year-old second-year student of Sokode Senior High Technical School (SOSTECH) was selling coconut when the incident happened.
The other two who were slightly affected by the strike are said to be his schoolmates.
The incident happened between 4:00 pm to 4:30 pm on Monday, May 30, 2022, at a spot opposite the Regional Office of the Electricity Company of Ghana ECG.
According to eyewitnesses, the three, all students were standing together when the listening struck.
It carried them about three meters away from the pavement on the shoulder of the road and dumped them under a mango tree.
Interestingly, personnel of the National Ambulance Service in Ho conveyed the two others who were reported to be slightly affected for treatment, leaving behind the motionless body of the coconut seller who was severely affected.
As of 6:30 pm, thus about two hours after the incident, Emmanuel’s motionless body remained untouched.
The incident attracted hundreds of residents who surrounded the body, but none have dared to touch or move the body. Due to superstition, many fear fatal consequences if they should touch the body.
The mother of the victim also came to the scene briefly but refused to speak to the media. She left the scene without conveying the body of his son.
Residents believe that the lightning was caused by a deity. An elderly man who was at the scene explained that, if indeed the lightning was caused by a deity, no one can convey the body until some rituals have been performed by the priest of the deity that struck the young boy.
He explained that in such incidents, the priest of the deity will come and perform some rituals and convey the body to the shrine of the deity. The family of the deceased will then have to go to the shrine to also fulfill some requirements before the body can be released to them.
As at 7:00 pm, the body has still not been conveyed. It is not clear whether the Ambulance service, Police, and other state agencies are also complying with the superstitious requirements as explained by the old man.
From Fred Duodu, Ho (k.duodu@yahoo.com