9 killed by lightning in Bengal rains

Heavy monsoon rains coupled with thunder and lightning on Monday claimed at least nine lives in several districts of Bengal, police said. Five persons from West Bengal's Hooghly district died after being struck by lightning while three more were injured, police said. "Three people from Chinsurah and two more from Dhaniakhali died due to lightning.

Three more from Chinsurah were also injured," Hooghly Superintendent of Police Sukesh Jain said. There were more deaths in East Burdwan district as heavy rains and lightning lashed the state on Monday evening.