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KOLKATA: Lightning strike claimed its second victim in the city in less than 2 months on Saturday, when a couple due to be married later this year were struck by a bolt at the Maidan, killing a 27-year-old man and injuring his 20-year-old fiancée.

Ajay Mallick and Monisha Mallick were seated at the base of the World War I memorial near the Red Road-Mayo Road intersection when tragedy struck around 6.35 pm. A critically injured Monisha has been admitted to the SSKM Hospital.

Last month, in a rare lightning death in city, a cricketer had been killed at the Vivekananda Park. This year, the state has seen an unprecedented number of lightning deaths, most of them in the districts. Climate scientists and researchers have cited a spike in pollution for the frequent lightning strikes.

Mallick was a resident of Loha Pul, Park Circus and worked in a construction firm while Monisha lives in Vivekananda Pally off EM Bypass.

The couple were huddled under an umbrella near the Glorious Dead Cenotaph when they were caught in a thundershower. Their umbrella proved to be deadly as a bolt of lightning struck the metal tip.

The massive energy flowed down the umbrella handle coursing through Ajay’s body causing external and internal burns that killed him instantaneously. Monisha, who was holding Ajay’s arm, suffered contact injury due to metal bangles.

Police found the couple lying on the ground, Ajay with his face down and the red umbrella covering his head, and Monisha unconscious, face upwards and arms spread, her face smeared with blood that had oozed out of her ears.

“A lightning strike disrupts the electrical rhythm of the heart and makes it stop. It can also burn tissues leading to serious burn injuries,” said Arindam Biswas, a doctor at RTIICS.

“They had gone out in the afternoon to shop for Durga Puja and the ensuing wedding. Everyone is distraught over this tragedy. We are praying that Monisha recovers. At present, she is in grave trauma,” said Monisha’s sister.

