Eight people, including six children, were killed, and another was severely injured in a lightning strike in Chhattisgarh’s Rajnandgaon area on Monday.

All the children were Class 11 students and were returning after their exam. Due to heavy rain, they took shelter under a shed near a tree which was struck by the lightning, as confirmed by District Collector Sanjay Aggrawal.

“As per preliminary information, eight people, including some school children, died in the lightning strike. Besides, one person was reported to be injured and was hospitalised,” Rajnandgaon Superintendent of Police Mohit Garg told news agency PTI.

The state government has announced an ex gratia of Rs 4 lakh for the families of those who died. Compensation as per the rules will be decided for the injured, the official said.

Senior government officials and police rushed to the spot following the incident.