ORMOC CITY, Leyte -- A fisherman was killed and two others were hurt after a strong lightning bolt hit their boat while fishing in Carigara Bay in Leyte Thursday afternoon.
The fishers from Basey, Samar were on board a small fishing craft and were sailing along the seas between the islands of Samar and Leyte despite heavy rains and thunderstorms.
Babatngon Disaster Risk Reduction Officer Nelia Barredo said the town health office responded and checked on the victims but Diosdado Sabenorio, 58, was already lifeless by that time.
Survivor Lando Sabenorio recounted that he and his brother were seated at the boat’s rear end and were trying to cast the net when a strong lightning bolt hit the small boat lamp near them. Diosdado lost consciousness when he was thrown to the floor due to the lightning’s strong impact.
Despite the darkness, Lando and the victim’s 15-year-old son, sailed to the nearest shore and reached Babatngon town Thursday night to ask for help, according to Barredo. There is no report yet on the survivors’ condition.
Local authorities advised all sailors to equip their boats with lightning protection system to avoid being hit by lightnings. (PNA)