(TORIT) – A 32 year old man was struck and killed by lightning during a weekend downpour in Torit Town, Eastern Equatoria State, while herding goats under a neem tree. The victim, identified as Joseph Okenya, was pronounced dead upon arrival at Torit State Hospital.
According to local authorities, the incident occurred at approximately 3 p.m. as Okenya was moving livestock near the area between Hai Neem and the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) headquarters. Achuil Chol, the area chief of Hai Islak, said the victim was a resident of that neighbourhood and had sought shelter under a tree when the lightning struck.
“The man who was struck by lightning was from Hai Islak and called Joseph Okenya. He was 32 years old and was taking his goats for grazing between Hai Neem and the SSPDF Headquarters,” Chol explained. “It started raining, and very unfortunately, he was under a tree, and lightning struck him, and he fell. An ambulance came and took him to the hospital, but the doctors said he was already dead.”
Mayor of Torit Municipal Council, Oyito Baptist Ben, also confirmed the incident and said the body of the deceased had been taken to his family home in Hai Islak for burial arrangements.
“The deceased was taking care of his goats, and it started raining heavily. When the rain reduced slightly, lightning struck the boy,” the mayor said.
Health officials at Torit State Hospital emphasised the importance of preventative measures during lightning storms. Changa Thomas, a health worker at the hospital, explained that Okenya had died on the spot and reiterated the need for lightning protection infrastructure.
“Clouds carry both negative and positive charges, and when they meet, lightning strikes occur,” Thomas said. “We advise residents to install lightning conductors on buildings to help arrest lightning strikes. These are the only known preventive tools.”
