A Bolt of Lightning Has Killed 323 Reindeer in Norway

A single lightning strike is believed to have killed more than 300 reindeer in Norway.

A total of 323 reindeer were found dead in the southern part of Norway on the Hardangervidda plateau, a press release from the Norwegian Environment Agency said. Among the 323 killed were 70 calves. An official from the Norwegian Nature Inspectorate discovered their carcasses during a routine inspection on Friday.

Officials said they believe the herd of reindeer was killed by lightning strike as they huddled together during a heavy thunderstorm.

Of the 323 reindeer killed, five had to be euthanized because of their injuries.

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Write to Mahita Gajanan at mahita.gajanan@time.com.