Cambodia reports 27 deaths by lightning

The Cambodian government claimed Wednesday that 27 people, mostly in rural areas, have died by lightning.

Keo Vy, communication officer of the National Committee of Disaster Management said as of Tuesday, there were 27 people who have died by lightning.

However, he said, the fatal figure is still less than that within the same period last year.

Cambodia blamed the early rainy season as the main cause to lightning.

Last month, Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen called on Cambodian people across the nation to be cautious about lightning, saying lightning seems fiercer in recent years.

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

The report filed by the National Committee of Disaster Management showed that the total figure of deaths last year was 140 and 95 deaths were recorded in 2008.

Most of the victims were living in rural areas.

Source: Xinhua