The Mayor of Karongi District, Gerald Muzungu, confirmed that the incident happened on Sunday evening when 12 people were seeking shelter from rain in a nearby house under construction.
"Eight people who were traumatized were taken to Kirinda hospital," he said, urging residents to avoid seeking shelter from risky areas during rain and thunderstorms.
He said the burial for the deceased would take place on Tuesday.
The Ministry in Charge of Emergency Management recommends installing lightning rods as a way to prevent lightning strikes.
People are also discouraged from seeking shelter under isolated trees during the rain, riding bicycles and motorbikes, swimming, taking lifts in buildings while it is raining or seeking shelter near electric poles.
Those who take shelter indoors during rain should avoid touching windows and doors because they are often metallic objects, which can attract lightning strikes.
It is also advisable that all electronic equipment should be switched off when it is raining.
While lightning strikes are more rampant in areas with high altitude in south-western Rwanda, the entire country is vulnerable to lightning strikes given its location near the Equator, and all Rwandans need to take measures against lightning-related accidents.
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