Four people injured by lightning strike while taking shelter at Antique waiting shed

• Four people were injured after lightning struck a waiting shed where they had sought shelter from heavy rain in Sibalom, Antique
• The incident occurred around noon on Wednesday in Barangay Maasin, according to a GMA Regional TV report
• Three men and one woman suffered burns and were taken to a hospital, where their condition was later reported to be stable
• The incident followed another lightning strike in Valderrama, Antique, that killed a 70-year-old farmer on Monday afternoon

Four people were injured after being struck by lightning while taking shelter in a waiting shed during heavy rain in Sibalom, Antique, on Wednesday.

The incident occurred around noon in Barangay Maasin, where three men and one woman had gathered to escape the downpour, according to a report by GMA Regional TV Ratsada Balita aired Thursday.

Based on the police investigation, the group was inside the waiting shed when lightning suddenly struck them. All four sustained burns on different parts of their bodies and were rushed to a hospital for medical treatment.

Read also

Motorcycle rider dies after multiple vehicles run over him on dark Cotabato highway

Their condition was later reported to have stabilized, providing some relief following the frightening incident.

Authorities have not disclosed the identities of the injured individuals or provided further details about the extent of their burns.

The incident serves as a reminder of the dangers thunderstorms can pose to people seeking shelter outdoors. Although waiting sheds may provide protection from rain, they may not offer adequate safety during lightning activity.

Meanwhile, another lightning-related tragedy was reported in Antique earlier in the week.

A 70-year-old farmer died after being struck by lightning in the municipality of Valderrama on Monday afternoon, according to the same report.

Unlike the four individuals who survived the Sibalom incident, the elderly farmer did not survive the strike. Further details about the circumstances surrounding his death were not included in the report.

The two incidents occurred in separate municipalities within the province, highlighting the risks posed by lightning during periods of unsettled weather.

During thunderstorms, authorities generally advise the public to seek shelter inside a substantial, fully enclosed building or a hard-topped vehicle. Open-sided structures, including waiting sheds, may not provide sufficient protection against lightning.

Read also

Pagtanggi sa utang, nauwi sa pagmo-molestiya at pagpatay; 2 katrabaho, umamin

People caught outdoors are also advised to avoid exposed areas, isolated trees, and other locations where they may be vulnerable to a strike.

A homeowner in Barangay Tinajeros, Malabon, reportedly lost almost P200,000 worth of belongings after his house was allegedly robbed. Among the missing items were nine wristwatches, a 42-inch television, sneakers, and a welding machine. Authorities, together with barangay officials, later apprehended a suspect during a follow-up operation and recovered some of the stolen items.

In another report, a 62-year-old father was killed in an attack while waiting to pick up his child in Urdaneta, Pangasinan. The victim was reportedly caught off guard when an unidentified assailant attacked him for reasons that remain unclear. Following the fatal incident, police launched a manhunt to track down the suspect and determine what led to the attack. Authorities are continuing their investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the father's death and identify the person responsible.

Source: KAMI.com.gh