The government through Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Kondwani Nankhumwa has expressed shock over the death of four Children allegedly killed by lightning in Kasungu.

Nankhumwa said this on Tuesday a funeral ceremony of the four children held at Bonongwe Village in the area of Traditional Authority Kaluluma in the district.

In his speech, Nankhumwa said President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika is saddened with the loss of the four children who would have contributed to the country’s socio-economic development if they grew up.

Reports indicate that the children had gone to visit their grandparents and sought shelter in a grass-thatched house when it started raining on Monday afternoon.

When the lightning struck, the roof of the house went up in flames and seriously burnt five of the seven children in the house.

Four of the five children were pronounced dead upon arrival at Chatoloma Health Centre in the district.

Government bought coffins, food, made transport arrangements and condoled the bereaved family cash amounting to MK100, 000.