A 32-year-old man, Felix Yaw, died and six others suffered injuries when lightning struck during funeral preparations at Pai-Katanga in the Krachi East Municipality of the Oti Region.

The incident occurred between 11:30 and 12:00 on Thursday, May 7, 2026, as the group prepared to slaughter cows for the ceremony.

Confirming the event to the Ghana News Agency (GNA), the Assembly Member for the Katanga Electoral Area, Mr Ericson Boateng, explained that the weather had turned cloudy, heralding imminent rain, when the deceased called relatives and in-laws to help slaughter three cows.

"One cow had already been killed when they started on the second," Mr Boateng said.

"Three people were holding the cow's head while four others restrained its legs at the moment the lightning hit," he added.

The strike killed both Yaw and the cow instantly, leaving the six others with varying injuries, including burns to their hands.

Yaw's body was taken to Worawora Government Hospital morgue for preservation, and the injured were rushed there for treatment.

Mr Boateng noted that the family was holding joint funeral rites for seven deceased people, following Konkomba tradition, which requires a soothsaying ceremony before proceeding.

This was set for 9 May to assess the spiritual impact of the incident and decide whether to discard or consume the affected cow's carcass, per custom.

Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Kennedy Frimpong confirmed the police had been notified and investigations were underway to verify the facts and circumstances.

He assured the public of the Police Service's commitment to a thorough probe and urged calm as measures were taken.