BACOLOD City – Four people were killed while four others were injured after lightning struck them in Hacienda Carmen, Barangay Don Salvador Benedicto, Pontevedra, Negros Occidental, a police report showed.
The fatalities were identified as the 41-year-old Rubilyn Muedan, 42-year-old Glenn Gatual, 52-year-old Marites Garzon, and 51-year-old Renilda Villanueva.
Among those who were injured were the 34-year-old Lenlyn Subong, 62-year-old Oberta Tiayo, 52-year-old Lito Cabalida, and 40-year-old Aarites Cabalida.
All of them were residents of the village. Personnel from the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office rushed them to the Valladolid District Hospital.
Muedan, Gatual, Garzon, and Cabalida were pronounced “dead on arrival” there, police said.
According to investigators, the victims were took shelter inside a nipa hut when the lighting hit them around 3:30 p.m. on Friday.
Last week, a man also died after lighting struck him while he was on his way home in Barangay Andres Bonficio, Cadiz City, Negros Occidental.
Also last week, 11 people – mostly minors – have been injured after lighting struck near a chapel they were at in Barangay Ma-ao, Bago City, Negros Occidental.
In April, six people were also reported to have died and several others injured due to lightning strikes in Barangay Manlucahoc, Sipalay City, Negros Occidental. (With Mae Singuay/PN)
