KOLKATA, June 19 -- An Agartala-bound IndiGo aircraft carrying 147 passengers and crew members was struck by lightning on Friday morning while waiting for takeoff during a thunderstorm at the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International (NSCBI) Airport here, officials familiar with the matter said.

Two ground staff members working near the plane were affected by the strike and were rushed to a nearby hospital. They were later discharged after receiving treatment, officials added.

The passengers and crew aboard the aircraft were unhurt.

"The lightning strike occurred around 9:25 am, just minutes before the scheduled takeoff. There were 141 passengers and six crew members on board at the time of the incident. No injuries were reported insid...