Five children killed amid heavy rains in Zimbabwe

Five children, including four siblings, have died in Zimbabwe following heavy rains and floods that have damaged houses and key infrastructure, local media report.

Four of them died after being struck by lightning on Monday night while sleeping with their mother in a hut in the eastern Manicaland province. The mother was unhurt.

The other child died from head injuries following flooding that damaged more than 17 homes at a village in Gokwe North, in the central Midlands province.

Two other children from the same village are reported to have been taken to hospital.

It comes amid widespread heavy rains accompanied by thunderstorms, strong winds and hail in places between Monday and Tuesday, according to the meteorological agency.