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Lightning strike kills 7 at nursery school party in South Africa

By Catherine E. Shoichet, CNN
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
  • 30 people remain hospitalized with injuries
  • A 4-year-old child, two parents and two teachers are among the dead
  • A provincial spokeswoman says the lightning entered through a window

(CNN) -- A lightning strike killed seven people -- including a 4-year-old child -- at a nursery school Christmas party in South Africa, a government spokeswoman said Saturday.

Forty others were injured when the lightning struck in KwaZulu-Natal Friday afternoon, said Mashu Cele, a spokeswoman for the province's social development department.

"It happened so suddenly. ... They were inside enjoying their Christmas party, and the lightning came through the window into the room that they were in," Cele said.

Two parents, two teachers, a gardener and a nursery school director were also killed, she said.

About 30 of the victims remained hospitalized Saturday, Cele said, and the province's social development minister was visiting the site to investigate.