A lightning strikes over the sky in Wuhan City, central China's Hubei Province, Aug. 18, 2013. (Xinhua/Zhou Guoqiang)

BLANTYRE, Malawi, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- Former Malawi President Bakili Muluzi's daughter, Esmie Muluzi Malisita, was Monday struck dead by lightning, together with her close friend Hazel Busile in Blantyre, family members confirmed to local media.

The two were reportedly coming from garden in Blantyre when it started raining and they took shelter under a tree where lightning struck them.

Esmie was Director for Joy FM Radio, one of Malawi's private radios and her death has been described as "tragic and a big loss to the media fraternity in Malawi."

Journalists Union of Malawi (JUMA) President, Mtetho Lungu, wrote in a condolence statement: "Esmie Malisita (Nee Muluzi) was one of the humble media employers who participated in JUMA's consultation with media owners meetings last year...she showed understanding about journalists' plight in terms of wages ..."

Over 15 people died of lightning during the 2014/2015 rainy season in Malawi and in the worst scenario, 3 sisters aged between 9 and 18 were killed in Malawi's central region district of Kasungu.

In 2013, eight people were killed in Malawi capital, Lilongwe, after lightning struck a church building where they had gathered for prayers.