SIX people, including a seven-year-old child, died last Thursday after being hit by lightning, bringing this year’s death toll up to 47.

Phoeun Phanith, 17, was killed in Kampong Cham province’s Prey Chhor district on Thursday while walking home from a rice field with his cow, said Deputy District Police Chief Norng Sothy.

On the same day in Pursat province, a father and daughter were killed by a bolt which struck in Bakan district. Mey Sokea, aged seven, had been taking corn for her father to eat when a storm came over. The youngster, together with her 29-year-old father Mey Khoeun, died immediately after being hit while sheltering under the tree to avoid the rain. In Banteay Meanchey province’s Malai district, three people were also reported dead by police after being struck while working on a potato farm on Thursday.

Keo Vy, chief of Cabinet of the National Committee for Disaster Management, said yesterday that lightning has killed 47 people so far this year.