Lightning
Three youth met a tragic end at Juni Takli village in Umarkhed tehsil of Yavatmal district on Tuesday evening when lightning struck a tree under which they had taken shelter to protect themselves from rains.

The deceased have been identified as Krishna Sanjay Gaikwad (17), Maruti Gyanba Hapse (30) and Nitin Sheshrao Bahadure (18).

According to sources, Maruti had gone to the farm for grazing the cattle while Nitin and Krishna had gone to bring firewood. At around 6 pm, thundershowers lashed the area forcing the trio to take shelter under a tree in the farm of one Deorao Hapse. As the youth were waiting for the rains to stop, a lightning struck the tree killing them all on the spot.

When the youth did not return home till 7.30 pm, their family members started looking for them and found their bodies lying in the farm.

Umarkhed police have registered a case of accidental death. The bodies were later sent for post mortem.

"We are waiting for the post mortem report," RDC of Yavatmal, Rajesh Khawale, said, adding only after the receipt of the autopsy report, the ex gratia amount would be given to the next of kin as per government norms.