Three seventh-grade students from Khamigaon Government Upper Primary School in Pachhikote Panchayat, Korei Block, were injured following a lightning strike near their classroom on Thursday around noon.
The lightning first struck a nearby decaying tree, and its impact spread through the classroom window, affecting the girls who were studying inside. The students—Bishnu Priya Jena, Chinmayee Mallik, and Devi Kanya Swain—reported chest pain and breathing difficulties immediately after the incident.
Despite attempts to contact the 108 ambulance service, no vehicle was available. Acting swiftly, local villagers transported the injured students in a private vehicle to Pachikote Primary Health Centre. However, the health centre was closed due to school hours being over, prompting further transfer to Jajpur Road Regional Hospital.
Doctors at the hospital conducted prompt examinations and began treatment immediately. All three girls are now reported to be in stable condition.
School authorities, including Headmistress Manjulata Rout and teacher Sankarshan Mahalik, played a crucial role in arranging emergency care. Local education officials and Panchayat representatives, including CRC Birabar Patra and Sarpanch’s delegate Dillip Kumar Swain, visited the hospital to assess the students’ recovery.
The incident has raised concerns about infrastructure safety and emergency response readiness in rural schools.
