Two high-school students were struck and killed by lightning in Pursat province on Friday as they watched a game of volleyball, with a further 17 students injured as they either played in the game or looked on, an official said.
The teenagers were gathered in the school’s playing field at about 2:30 p.m. when a burst of lightning hit Tnaot Tret village in Pursat City’s Phteah Prey commune, according to deputy provincial prosecutor Heang Sitha.
“The two teenagers were killed while watching volleyball at school,” he said, naming the victims as Yet Senghong, 16, and Ra Narot, 14, who were in Grade 9 and 7, respectively.
“Senghong was hit by lightning on the left side of his body, while Narot was hit on his back,” he said.
Sixteen students sustained minor injuries, while Soth Hong, 16, suffered serious injuries, he added.
The onset of rainy season each year sees a spike in deaths and injuries from lightning.
Mr. Sitha said Friday’s victims bring the total number of people killed by lightning in Pursat this year to six.
