At least 18 people, including seven children, died and 16 others were hurt by lightning strikes in the northwestern India state of Rajasthan, reports said.

Eleven of those who died were tourists visiting the Amer Fort, a popular tourist attraction, on the outskirts of the state capital Jaipur, after lightning struck a watchtower near the site, Reuters said.

An eyewitness said victims leaped to the ground as the lightning struck and "many people died in front of our eyes."

Footage by Reuters TV partner ANI showed empty shoes left by those who died.

Around 11 bodies recovered included women and children. The victims were declared dead on arrival at the city's Sawai Man Singh Hospital, CNN said.

"As it started raining visitors took cover at a watchtower. Lightning struck the watchtower killing 11 people on the spot and injuring others," Jairam, a local police officer who identified himself by only one name, told Reuters Monday.

Senior police officer Anand Srivastava said some of those who were killed were taking selfies near the watchtower when lightning struck late Sunday.

At least another 41 people were killed in the state of Uttar Pradesh, plus seven others in Madhya Pradesh, according to CNN.

Lightning strikes are common in India during the June-September rainy period, which bring respite from the summer heat across the country's northern plains.

State officials announced financial assistance for the families of the victims and those who were injured.

India Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences to the families of the victims in a Twitter comment.

Meanwhile, the India's Meteorological Department has warned of more lightning in the next two days.