Fourteen children were injured today when a bolt of lightning hit their elementary school in Talcher, eastern India.

The youngsters, 11 girls and three boys, were attending classes at Kalamachhuin Upper Primary School when the bolt struck just after 2pm local time.

Two students were seriously hurt. Nine others were also taken to a local hospital.

The school's headmistress, Hemalata Sethy, said: "Suddenly, I heard a bursting sound and later, I found 10 to 12 students lying on the floor unconscious.

"After I alerted, villagers come to our rescue."

Despite their injuries, doctors hope all 14 will recover, district emergency officer Niroda Kumar Mishra said.