Two killed by lightning in Cambodia, yearly toll hits 50

via Khmer NZ News Media

Posted : Mon, 14 Jun 2010

By : dpa

Phnom Penh - Two sisters were killed by lightning in Cambodia, bringing the year's reported death toll to 50, local media reported Monday.

The teenagers were tending their family's cattle in a rice field in the southeastern province of Kampong Cham late last week when they were struck, the Cambodia Daily newspaper reported.

"We are noting the increase in lightning deaths, and our senior officials are paying attention to the issue," said Keo Vy, deputy director of the National Committee of Disaster Management.

"It could be a result of climate change."

Lightning last year killed 140 people in Cambodia, up from 95 recorded deaths in 2008.