An investigation is undertaken to analyze the human lightning fatalities in
Swaziland. A total of 123 victims of lightning-related death were identified from the
records of the Royal Swaziland Police Service and the local printed media for the period
2000–2007. An annual average fatality rate of 15.5 people per million, the highest recorded
rate in the world, was obtained. The results also reveal that 66% were male, most (67%) of
them were within the 10–39 age group with an average age of 28 years. Lightning fatalities
occurred from September to May mainly in the afternoon (1400–1800 h). Deaths most
commonly occurred indoors inside rural houses (17%), whilst walking (16%) and under a
tree (14%). The incidents resulted in multiple fatalities in 22% of the cases with an average
of 1.4 casualties per incident. The need for awareness campaigns, protection measures and
detailed investigation is highlighted.