Lightning strike

The Solomon Star newspaper reports the 20-year-old mother of two was working outside the family home in Baegu, North-East Malaita when she was struck, dying on the spot.

A close relative of the family told the paper the family was shocked by the incident and the entire community was in mourning.

A chief from a nearby village said the thunderstorm had raged over the area all of Tuesday and Wednesday.

It is unclear whether a police investigation will be launched into the death.

Most of the victims died instantly when lightning hit the church in the southern district of Nyaruguru, local mayor Habitegeko Francois told AFP.

Two people died from their injuries, and 140 people were rushed to hospital and health centres.

Lightning also killed a student in the area on Friday, the mayor said.

The weather accident in the mountainous region near the border with Burundi took place around midday on Saturday while parishioners of the town of Gihemvu were at a church service.