Benin: eight cattle killed by lightning, young shepherd seriously injured in Kalalé

​A violent storm that occurred in the afternoon of Friday August 28, 2026 caused significant damage in the village of Gnel Kelle, located in the district of Dérassi (municipality of Kalalé).

​Around 4 p.m., lightning struck directly on a grazing herd. The material and human toll was heavy: eight oxen belonging to a man named Guenin Soulé were killed instantly.

​According to information reported by community radio Gbassi FM, the young shepherd of the flock, named Jérémy, tried to approach the animals lying on the ground. By touching one of the struck down oxen, the teenager received a violent secondary electric shock. Treated urgently in critical condition, his state of health remains particularly worrying.

​This event caused great excitement within the local community and recalls the recurrence of risks linked to atmospheric discharges during the rainy season in the north of the country.