annual-rates-of-lightning-fatalities-by-country

This study builds on an earlier study on the worldwide casualty toll from lightning. The present paper synthesizes data that are available on lightning deaths by country. It finds that for the lack of better information, the estimate of 6 deaths per million per year continues to be a candidate for the appropriate rate that can be modified in the future with better information. If this rate applies to 4 billion people, the resulting worldwide estimate continues to be 24,000 deaths and 240,000 injuries worldwide from lightning every year. The collection of lightning fatality totals over long periods is encouraged on a national basis in order to investigate the validity of these estimates. Presented at the 20th International Lightning Detection Conference, 21-23 April 2008, and the 2nd International Lightning Meterology Conference, 24-25 April 2008, Tuscon, Arizona.