Lightning kills five farmers on island off Shanghai
( 2002-06-21 16:31 ) (8 )

Five farm workers have been killed Thursday in lightning strikes on an island off Shanghai, east China.

Three farmers and an official with the Yuejin Farm on Chongming Island were hit by a lightning on Thursday morning as they were planting rice seedlings.

Another farmer with Changjiang Farm was hit in the afternoon by another lightning bolt when he was on his way home.

The five were declared dead after they were rushed to a local hospital.

Shanghai is having its third day of rain. Nearby Chongming Island is located in the mouth of the Yangtze River.

Local meteorologists said lightning has occurred on average 53. 9 days each year during the past 30 years, and three people were killed last year.