One person is dead and another injured after lightning struck Xinghe Town in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality on Thursday -- the second strike in just over a week.

Seven were killed by lightning in the area last Wednesday.

Luo Xinyou, a farmer from Renhe Village, was killed in his home while he was eating breakfast with his family, according to Zhu Yi, Party Chief of the village.

Luo's wife, who was injured, is reported to be in a stable condition.

The tragedy happened just a week after seven pupils died after lightning hit a school in Xingye Village in the same town.

Few houses and buildings in Xinghe Town, located in a mountainous area in poverty-stricken Kaixian County, are equipped with lightning rods.

Local meteorological experts have told residents to stay away from trees, paddy fields and other conductors during summer thunder storms.

A total of 13 people have been killed or injured by lightning in Chongqing from January to April this year.

(Xinhua News Agency May 31, 2007)