Gajapati, Oct 8: In a tragic incident near the Odisha-Andhra Pradesh border, three labourers lost their lives while four others sustained serious injuries after being struck by lightning while working at a stone quarry unit.

According to reports, the accident occurred near Jangalpadu village in Gosani block of Gajapati district, close to the border with Andhra Pradesh.

The deceased were identified as Pintu (25) from Madhya Pradesh, Shravan Kumar (45) from Bihar, Meghwal Hemraj (25) from Makrana, Nagaur district, Rajasthan. All the victims were residing in Jangalpadu village and working at the quarry when a severe lightning storm struck the area on Tuesday afternoon.

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The injured, Balyar Singh (42) from Tankiasahi village in R. Udayagiri block, Hariprasad (24) from Pedalakshmipuram, Meliaputti Mandal, Andhra Pradesh, Balaraju (63) from Bandapalli and Danardan (25) from Tekkali Mandal, are reportedly undergoing treatment at Tekkali Medical Center.

Fire and rescue teams have reached the location and are continuing recovery operations. Meanwhile, Meliaputti Police have launched an investigation into the incident.