Lightning strikes kill 15 buffaloes in Hue: report

As many as 15 buffaloes have been struck dead by lightning in Phong Dien district in the central province of Thua Thien Hue, says a report.

As many as 15 buffaloes have been struck dead by lightning in Phong Dien district in the central province of Thua Thien Hue, says a report.

Nine buffaloes struck dead by a lightning strike at a hamlet in the central province of Thua Thien Hue on May 28, 2012.

Local authorities say that at 4:30pm on May 28 while 9 buffaloes were grazing on a sunny day, lightning and thunder suddenly appeared in the sky and killed them.

The deceased includes six buffalo cows and 3 calves, which are worth VND150 million ($7,200) in total. There were no reports of human casualties.

Another lightning strike at 1:45pm on May 29 killed 6 buffaloes belonging to 4 families, also in Phong Dien.

Of the 15 dead animals, eight were pregnant.

“There has never been a case similar to this in our locality. It’s a biggest loss ever. We have instructed the bureau of Agriculture and Rural Development to find ways to help the farmers,” VnExpress quoted Nguyen Dai Vui, chairman of Phong Dien People’s Committee.