ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - A two-year old girl was killed while her mother was severely injured when lightning struck them Thursday afternoon in an uphill village north of this city, according to police.
The incident occurred even as the city is not listed among the areas affected by super typhoon Yolanda, which is expected to make landfall in the central part of the country.
Police Chief Inspector Danilo Tendero, commander of the Station 4 based in Barangay Culianan, identified the surviving mother as Angelina Francisco while the child was not immediately known.
Initial police investigation disclosed the victims were rushing on their way home at Barangay Lanzones, an uphill village, amid thunderstorm when lightning struck them shortly before 4 p.m.
The victims were thrown by the strong lightning volt that charged the young victim to death snd injured the mother.
Villagers nearby responded and rushed the mother to the Zamboanga City Medical Hospital for treatment from injuries and lightning shocks.