Lightning kills 47, injures 40 in Cambodia in five months

PHNOM PENH, May 18 -- Lightning strikes have killed 47 Cambodians and injured 40 others in more than five months this year, a government official said Friday.

Keo Vy, spokesman of the country's National Committee for Disaster Management said since early this year, 47 Cambodians were killed, 40 others injured.

He said, in addition to human casualties, 27 cows and buffalos also were killed along with 3 houses damaged.

Keo Vy said compared to the same period last year, the number of casualties this year was about the same.

And for the whole year in 2011, lightning strikes killed 165 Cambodians and injured 139 others. Among the victims of last year, there were 55 women and 23 children.

Lightning killed 140 Cambodians in 2009 and 114 in 2010.

According to Keo Vy, 15 out of 24 provinces, were affected by the lightning this year and three particular provinces of Prey Veng, Kompong Cham and Pursat were the most affected.

Most of the victims were living in rural areas.

Lightning occurs every year in Cambodia, which normally starts in rainy season which begins from May through October.