A series of tragic lightning strikes in various locations across the Kurdistan Region of Iraq resulted in several fatalities on Monday, according to official reports and eyewitness accounts.

In Kirkuk's Prde district, a Peshmerga soldier from the 1st Battalion of the 24th Brigade of the 2nd Infantry Division lost his life during a lightning strike at Peshmerga positions.

Simultaneously, in Erbil's Qalate Nwe neighborhood, a devastating incident occurred as 12-year-old Hariad Handren was fatally struck by lightning. Hariad, along with his brother and a friend, had just returned from their uncle's house and were preparing for upcoming exams when tragedy struck. Hariad succumbed to the lightning strike, while his brother and friend sustained injuries.

The father of Hariad recounted the harrowing event, highlighting the sudden and tragic loss that befell their family.

Further reports emerged from Erbil, where two individuals of Arab nationality tragically lost their lives due to lightning strikes while working on an agricultural project in the village of Qurshaglu. One victim was 21 years old, and the other was 28 years old, according to sources from forensic medicine in Erbil.

In Kirkuk province's Taza district, another casualty was reported when a 31-year-old shepherd named Rami Taha was struck and killed by lightning while tending to his sheep in the evening.

In response to these incidents, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Peshmerga Ministry announced the death of a Peshmerga soldier from the 2nd Battalion of the 15th Infantry Brigade due to a lightning strike. The ministry expressed condolences to the family and comrades of the deceased soldier.

These tragic events serve as a sobering reminder of the unpredictability and danger posed by natural phenomena, prompting authorities and communities to emphasize safety measures during adverse weather conditions. The affected families and communities mourn the loss of their loved ones and grapple with the aftermath of these sudden and unfortunate incidents.