Malappuram, 13 May (H.S.):A wave of grief swept through Vellila village near Mankada in Kerala’s Malappuram district on Wednesday as hundreds of mourners gathered to bid an emotional farewell to four youths who were killed in a lightning strike at the Kuranganchola viewpoint on Tuesday evening.

The victims — Rahees (20), Bahas (18), Siyad (18) and Fahad (22) — were laid to rest at Rahmania Juma Masjid amid prayers and heartbreaking scenes. The four youths, all close friends and neighbours from the same locality, had grown up together and lived within a short distance of each other in Vellila village.

The tragic incident occurred around 4 p.m. on Tuesday when the group was caught in a sudden lightning strike during heavy summer rain at the hilltop tourist destination. According to local residents, the weather changed abruptly, leaving the youths with little time to seek shelter. All four died on the spot.

Postmortem examinations were completed at Government Medical College Hospital, Manjeri, on Wednesday morning. The bodies were later brought to an auditorium in Vellila where large numbers of relatives, classmates, friends and local residents assembled to pay their final respects.

Emotional scenes unfolded throughout the day as grieving family members and friends broke down beside the bodies of the youths. Residents described the victims as inseparable companions who were widely loved in the locality, making the tragedy even more painful for the village.

Shops in parts of the area remained closed as a mark of respect, while a sombre atmosphere prevailed across the locality. Mourners continued arriving from nearby places to offer condolences to the bereaved families.

Several prominent personalities also visited the village to pay tribute to the victims, including Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) state president Panakkad Sadiqali Shihab Thangal.

Around noon, the bodies were taken to the youths’ respective homes, allowing neighbours and relatives to offer a final farewell before the funeral procession moved towards Rahmania Juma Masjid. The burial ceremonies were held around 2 p.m.

Meanwhile, Roshan and Ishath, who sustained injuries in the lightning strike, are continuing treatment at a private hospital in Perinthalmanna.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman