Soldier martyred by lightning strike in SE Turkey

HAKKARI, Turkey

A Turkish soldier was martyred Sunday afternoon after being struck by lightning in southeastern Turkey, according to the local governor.

In a statement posted on its website, the Hakkari Governor's Office said that a soldier was heavily wounded in a lightning strike during operations in the rural area of the province's Semdinli district.

The soldier later was taken to Semdinli State Hospital but "could not be saved despite all efforts," the statement added.

Turkish authorities use the term "martyred" instead of "killed" or "died" if an active-duty solider is killed by an enemy attack, friendly fire, or natural disaster.