By Vincent Khonje

Mchinji, November 21, Mana: At least 34 cows were killed by lightning on Wednesday afternoon in Matimba Village, under Traditional Authority Chioshya in Mchinji District.

Mchinji District Animal Health and Livestock Officer, Mwiza Msiska, confirmed the incident and said veterinary officers are conducting routine checks to verify the cause of death.

“If it is confirmed that lightning was the cause, the animals may not pose a threat if consumed. However, we are conducting standard checks, similar to those done at slaughterhouses, to rule out any other potential causes,” Msiska said.

Eyewitness Bisayi Makowa reported that the cows were resting under a tree to seek shelter from the rain when the lightning struck.

“The lightning only struck the cows, but there was no sign of any burnt tree from the impact,” Makowa said.

Police, livestock officers, and other authorities rushed to the scene after receiving reports of the incident.

Mchinji Police Public Relations Officer, Limbani Mpinganjira, confirmed that no human fatalities were reported.

“We have not received any report of a person being killed during the incident,” Mpinganjira said.

The financial loss is estimated at over K17 million, with the average value of each cow pegged at K500,000.

Authorities are still working to establish whether the animals belonged to different owners.