Lightning kills 2 farmers, hurts 7 others in Apayao

FLORA, Apayao — Two people were killed and seven others wounded when they were struck by lightning in the remote village of Malayugan, this town.

Senior Supt. Nestor Bergonia, Apayao Police Provincial Office, said eight of the victims were planting rice in the middle of a downpour in Purok San Bernabe in Barangay Malayugan, around 2 p.m. on June 5 when lightning struck them.

Bergonia said 26-year-old Charlon Carlos died on the spot while 16-year-old Melvin Marcos succumbed to serious burns and injuries while undergoing treatment at the Flora Hospital, here.
He identified the other victims as Edmar Marcos, 20; Felimor Bingayen, 25; Roldan Bingayen, 16; Arnel Bingayen, 14, Alexander Martin 14; and, Richard Lara, 19.

Concerned residents who witnessed the incident took the victims to the hospital, where physicians declared Carlos and Melvin Marcos dead on arrival.

Meanwhile, Supt. Leon Tallo, spokesman of the Police Regional Office in the Cordillera, said a seventh victim – farmer Roger Gelacio – who was in his house was also electrocuted when lightning grounded his house.

“He was found unconscious inside their house after being electrically grounded caused by the lightning strike.

He was rushed to Lasam District Hospital, Lasam, Cagayan,” said Tallo.

Of the six victims only Edmar Marcos sustained serious injuries while the rest were taken to the same hospital for observation and treatment of minor burns.

“The latest report we received is that all of the six victims are now in their homes,” said Bergonia.

Due to the unpredictable weather condition prevailing in the different parts of the country, local officials called on their constituents to seek refuge in safer ground when heavy rains pour to avoid accidents such as lightning strikes. -- Dexter A. See and Aaron Recuenco