In a shocking incident, six individuals were rushed to the hospital after being affected by a lightning strike at a wedding in Sitio Bayana, Barangay Salaysay, Marilog District. The incident occurred around 3:00 PM on Saturday.
The victims were attending a wedding when a sudden lightning strike hit a nearby coconut tree. The impact of the lightning weakened them, although they were not directly hit. The victims, who were all conscious, were quickly transported by responding rescuers to Kibalang Hospital, Marilog, Davao City for treatment.
The victims have been identified as:
- Jessel Camparan Bayo, 18 years old
- Annabel Mendoza, 48 years old
- Albert Pagayao, 17 years old
- Chino Pagalan, 8 years old
- Ernesto Pahulayan, 42 years old
- Marily Mantiquilla, 34 years old
All the victims are residents of Tambobong.
Trees are often hit by lightning because they are the tallest objects on the ground and closest to the storm cloud, making them the first thing in the path of lightning. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by lightning strikes, particularly in outdoor gatherings.