Four women farm labourers died and 26 others were hospitalised after they were struck by lightning at Thaneerpandalpatti village in Pudukottai taluk on Tuesday. The tragedy occurred around 3.20 p.m. when a group women labourers was working in a groundnut field when it was raining.
The deceased were identified as E. Shanthi, 31, of Vaithur, A. Vijaya, 40, of Thozhudhanpatti, R. Kalaiselvi,45, and L. Lakshmiammal, 60, of Vaithur village. Those undergoing treatment were also women.
Official sources said the labourers had come for farm work from Vaithur and nearby areas to Thaneerpandalpatti. Locals immediately arranged for 108 ambulances to shift them to the Pudukottai Medical College Hospital.
The four labourers were brought dead to the Pudukottai Medical College Hospital, Collector P. Uma Maheswari told The Hindu after visiting the hospital accompanied by health department officials.
The Collector consoled the family members of the deceased and inquired about the condition of the injured.
Twenty-six women labourers were admitted to the hospital where a separate ward was created for their treatment, Collector Uma Maheswari said.
