2 minors die after being struck by lightning in Cavite

CAVITE, Philippines – Two minors died in General Trias City in Cavite on Thursday afternoon, May 25, after being struck by lightning in separate locations. 

The first incident occurred at around 4 pm in Sitio Kiko Rosa, Barangay San Francisco, said city police chief Lieutenant Colonel Jose Naparato Jr.

The police report said construction workers Edison Hachero, 16, and Jovic Gubat, an adult, were standing in the middle of the road not far from their barracks, waiting for the rain to stop, when lightning struck them.

They were brought to the General Trias Medicare Hospital, where Hachero was declared dead on arrival. Gubat is under observation at the hospital after he sustained a thigh injury.

The second incident occurred at around 5 pm in Barangay Pasong Camachile 2, where three persons suffered.

Xian Agripa Parangan, 10 years old, died, while his two playmates – John Carlo Mira, 9; and Vince Angelo Angcaya, 10 – were under observation at the UP-Philippine General Hospital in Manila.

Witnesses said the three were flying a kite in the open field, and took shelter under a huge tree when heavy rain poured. A lightning hit the tree and the children.

The witnesses said the three were squirming as they brought them to the hospital, but Parangan was declared dead on arrival.

Parangan’s mother said: “Sinabihan ko na siya na pumirmi na sa bahay at maulan. Lumabas pa talaga siya para magpalipad ng saranggola, kasama ang kanyang mga kaibigan na laging kasama.” (I already told him to stay home because it was raining hard. But he still went out to fly kite with his friends, his usual companions.)

Parts of the Philippines experienced severe thunderstorms on Thursday. – Rappler.com