Lightning strike at Raparin construction site leaves one dead

SULAYMANIYAH — A lightning strike hit a worksite in the Beri Merga area of the Raparin administration, Sulaymaniyah governorate, on Sunday, killing one worker and injuring another.

The victim, identified as Mohammed, was about 17 years old and worked as a construction laborer. Khidr Rasul, a relative of the victim, told 964media that Mohammed had gone to work with a masonry foreman at the construction site in Bingird subdistrict when they were struck by lightning. Mohammed was killed, while another worker was injured.

Many lightning strike incidents have been reported across the Kurdistan Region this year, resulting in multiple deaths and injuries. On May 15, 2026, two separate incidents were reported in the Sulaymaniyah governorate. In the first, a shepherd was killed after being struck by lightning. In the second, a family was hit while on a picnic, leaving two people dead and three others injured.

Iraq generally saw a rainy winter this year, with most thunderstorms and lightning strikes concentrated in the northern parts of the country. In February, Erbil Civil Defense issued safety guidelines for lightning storms, advising residents to stay away from concrete surfaces, open areas, water, and electrical equipment.