Mass fatality following lightning stroke: Analysis of six cases

Abstract

Lightning is a natural phenomenon of high energy discharge occurring from cloud to earth. It causes disastrous effect on human being creating a medical emergency in spite of its momentary action. Since it is attracted by highest conducting objects, people taking shelter under a tall tree or metallic roof are the commonest victims. Lightning can cause damage to any organ system, but the immediate cause of death in most cases is cardiac asystole. There may or may not be any external detectable injury. If present, it may be superficial burn or dermal deposit of metal from object worn or carried by the victim. Due to blast action, clothing may be torn or in some situations blown off; making the victim virtually naked. Without any external injury and with histopathological examination returning negative results, forming an opinion regarding cause of death becomes very difficult. In such situations, reliance may have to be placed on examination of clothing along with circumstantial evidence to arrive at an opinion about the cause of death.

Exact incidence of lightning related death is not known because of under reporting of cases. Those reported too are mostly in local newspapers and on many occasions involve one or two victims rather than a mass casualty, thus attracting less media attention.  Such an accident took the lives of six victims in Barpeta district of Assam on a rainy afternoon. The cases are presented and discussed in this paper with reference to the autopsy findings.