Update | Sundargarh Football Mishap; Injury count rises up to 21

Sundargarh:  At least two people were killed and the injury count rose to 21 from 18 as reported earlier by Odisha Bhaskar, when lightning struck them during a football match in the Sundargarh district, police said.

Reportedly, one among the deceased was a football player while others who were injured were spectators.

The incident occurred during the local football match at Baneilata under the Nuagaon block of the district.

While the lightning struck, there was no rain in the area but the sky was a bit cloudy, Police said.

When they were taken to the hospital, two persons were declared dead by a doctor at the Hatibari Community Health Centre (CHC).

17 of the 21 injured were taken to Rourkela Government Hospital while the remaining four were under treatment at Hatibari CHC.

A pall of gloom descended on Baneilata village following the tragedy.