MANILA, Philippines — Four persons died and 11 others were injured in lightning strikes in Iloilo and Nueva Ecija on Monday.
Mila Soberano, 38; Rosalie Soberano, 48, and a 14-year-old pregnant girl were gathering charcoal in Sitio Giragid, Barangay Magdalo in Banate, Iloilo when lightning struck during a sudden downpour.
The three were declared dead on arrival at the Gov. Niel D Tupas District Hospital in Barotac Viejo.
Nine other persons, all family members of the fatalities, were injured and taken to a hospital for treatment.
In Nueva Ecija, reports reaching Col. Richard Caballero, provincial police director, said a student and his two companions were having a picnic in Zone 5, Barangay Villa Floresta when they were hit by lightning.
One of the victims was declared dead on arrival in a hospital.
The two other teenagers were transferred to the Dr. Paulino J. Garcia Memorial Research and Medical Center in Cabanatuan City for treatment. – Ramon Efren Lazaro