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Lightning kills 107 Cambodians last year

Xinhua, January 5, 2016 Adjust font size:

One hundred and seven Cambodians, mostly rural dwellers, had been killed by lightning strikes in 2015, up 42.6 percent from the 75 deaths in 2014, a spokesman said Tuesday.

Besides the fatalities, thunderbolts had injured 77 others last year, up 35 percent from the 57 injuries in a year earlier, Keo Vy, spokesman for the National Committee for Disaster Management, said.

"The casualties rose because torrential rains with thunder, lightning and strong wind had happened more often last year," he told Xinhua over telephone.

He said lightning strikes occur every year in Cambodia, particularly in rainy season from May through October.

"To avoid the dangers from lightning strikes, people should stay in homes or shelters when there are strong rains," he said. Enditem