Lightning kills one, injures six during funeral rites at Pai-Katanga

Felix Yaw, 32, died and six others sustained injuries after lightning struck during funeral rites at Pai-Katanga in the Krachi East Municipality of the Oti Region on Thursday, May 7, 2026, between 1130 hours and 1200 hours. The incident occurred while preparations were underway to slaughter cows for the funeral ceremony. According to Mr. Ericson Boateng, the Assembly Member for the Katanga Electoral Area, the weather had turned cloudy, signalling imminent rainfall, when the deceased invited relatives and in-laws to assist in slaughtering three cows for the rites.

One cow had already been slaughtered when the group began handling the second animal. Mr. Boateng explained that at the time of the incident, three persons were holding the head of the cow, while four others were restraining its legs. Lightning struck, killing both Yaw and the cow instantly, while the six others sustained varying degrees of injuries, including burns to their hands. The family was undertaking joint funeral rites for seven deceased persons in line with Konkomba tradition, which requires the performance of a soothsaying ceremony before the rites could proceed.

The body of the deceased was conveyed to the Worawora Government Hospital morgue for preservation, while the injured persons were rushed to the same facility to receive medical treatment. The soothsaying ceremony was scheduled for May 9 to enable the family determine the spiritual implications of the incident and decide whether the carcass of the affected animal should be discarded or consumed. ASP Kennedy Frimpong said the police had been informed and investigations had commenced to ascertain the veracity and circumstances surrounding the incident. He assured the public of the Police Service's commitment to thoroughly investigate the matter and encouraged calm while necessary measures were taken to establish the facts.