A 13-year-old student, Ifeanyi Matthew Ebere, has died after he was struck by lightning during a thunderstorm in Owerri, Imo State.
The victim, a Junior Secondary School 1 student of Emanda College, reportedly went to the school on Saturday evening with friends to watch a football match before heavy rainfall and thunderstorms began.
According to witnesses, the boys ran into a classroom for shelter as the weather worsened. Moments later, lightning struck the building and hit Ifeanyi.
He was taken to a nearby hospital, where doctors confirmed him dead on arrival.
His father, Kelechi Ebere, said he received an urgent call about the incident and rushed home.
“I got home and saw that indeed thunder had struck and killed my son. You would think that somebody poured hot water on him. His flesh from the chest peeled. His clothes were burnt,” he said.
The incident has renewed concerns about safety during thunderstorms, particularly in schools and public spaces.
A health expert who spoke on the risks associated with lightning said tall structures and exposed areas are more vulnerable during storms. The expert advised people to move into enclosed buildings during heavy rain and avoid standing near trees, poles, or open fields.
The expert also noted that lightning strikes can disrupt the heart’s electrical system and lead to cardiac arrest, stressing the importance of emergency response measures such as CPR.
Family sources said the boy was buried the same day.
