ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - A fishpond worker died after he was struck by lightning in Kabasalan town, Zamboanga Sibugay province, according to the police Saturday.
Police identified the victim as Sosito Serano Flores, 36, married and a resident of Barangay Timuay Danda.
Chief Inspector Ariel Huesca, Spokesman of Police Regiona Office 9 (PRO), said the victim was walking with his brother on the dike of the fishpond owned by Freddie Chu amidst heavy rains to transfer the milk fish fingerlings when the lightning struck him about 1 p.m. Wednesday.
The victim’s brother told the police that Flores was hit by the lightning in the mouth and instantly fell to the ground.
The victim was rushed to the hospital, but attending declared him dead on arrival.
Local authorities have advised residents and field workers to stay away from open fields during bad weather condition due to the increasing number of lightning strike incidents within this year alone.