Mangaluru: Three people including a 7-year-old kid were killed on the spot and a two-year-old child suffered burns after they were struck by lightning while washing clothes in the river, near Jakribettu under Bantwal town police station, on 12th April, Wednesday.

The deceaseds have been identified as Jayamma (28), Kanakamma (29), Shashikala (07), residents of Dyagerahalli of Sira taluk in Tumakur district. The 2-year-old injured toddler Lalitha is being treated at Wenlock District Hospital.

The victims had accompanied their husbands, who work as labourers for a water pipeline work near Bantwal. The women along with their kids waded into river Nethravati to wash clothes. Around 4pm, a sudden bolt of lightning struck, which resulted in the killing three of them on the spot and seriously injuring the 2 years old toddler.

There was a drizzle for about few minutes at around 4PM, accompanied by lightning.

A case of unnatural death has been registered at Bantwal town police station.