A boatman was killed after being struck by lightning in Nikli upazila of Kishoreganj on Sunday evening. The incident occurred around 7 p.m. in Ulabaira Char Haor under the Sadar Union. The deceased was identified as Babul Sarkar, 45, son of Kachu Mia from Naraj village in Mohanganj upazila of Netrokona. He was operating a steel-bodied boat at the time of the incident.

According to local sources and the upazila administration, Babul Sarkar and several passengers were returning home from Ashuganj after selling paddy. When rain and lightning began, the passengers took shelter under the boat’s deck, but Babul remained on top as he was steering. A sudden lightning strike hit him, causing fatal injuries, and he died on the spot. The passengers later found him lifeless after noticing unusual boat movement.

Nikli Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Mosammat Rehana Majumdar Mukti confirmed the incident and said necessary measures were being taken regarding the matter.