By Mark L. Garcia
BACOLOD CITY – Four persons were killed while four others were injured by lightning in Hacienda Carmenchica, Barangay Don Salvador Benedicto, Pontevedra, Negros Occidental Friday.
Police identified the fatalities as sugarcane plantation workers Rubilyn Muedan, 41; Glenn Gatual, 42; Marites Garzon, 52, and Renilda Villanueva, 51. Injured were Lenlyn Subong, 34; Oberta Tiayo, 62; Lito Cabalida, 52, and Marites Cabalida, 40, also sugarcane plantation workers.
SPO2 Freddie Sornito, Pontevedra police duty desk officer, said the victims were staying in a nipa hut in the middle of a sugarcane plantation to seek shelter from the rain at around 3:30 p.m. when lighting struck them.
The fatalities sustained burns and died on the spot. The injured were taken to the Valladolid District Hospital in Valladolid, Negros Occidental.
Four deadly lightning strikes have been recorded in Negros Occidental since last month in which seven persons were killed and 28 were injured.
Police have urged the public to avoid staying near the highest point in an area where lightning usually strikes.
They said people should stay indoors when there is a thunderstorm and lightning.
