Lightning strike kills 3 young cousins in Pulilan, Bulacan

Three minors in Pulilan, Bulacan were killed by lightning while they were outside playing in the rain.

Cousins Rexter Enriquez, 16, Roxanne Enriquez, 12 and April dela Cruz, 11, were playing outside their homes at a grassy lot during a rain shower on Wednesday afternoon when tragedy occurred.

“Habang nagbobola po kami tas po nung kinuha ko po yung bola dito sa likod ng poste po, nung pagkuha ko po bigla pong kumidlat nang malakas tas paglingon ko po wala nang malay mga pinsan ko tas umuusok po,” another cousin of the victims said to Mark Salazar in his 24 Oras report on Thursday.

(We were playing ball when the lightning struck. I was getting the ball from behind a post. When I looked back they were all unconscious and smoking.)

The victims were rushed to the hospital where they were all declared dead on arrival.

“Pinasok ko po dito sa bahay, pinunasan ko po. Tumawag mga kapatid ko ng ambulansya, dinala po namin sa ospital. Pinipilit po nilang i-survive yung tatlong bata, wala na po talaga,” said Ana dela Cruz, the mother of one of the victims. 

(We rushed them inside the house. My siblings called for an ambulance. We took them to the hospital. They tried to revive the three kids, but they were already gone.)

According to PAGASA, the incident may have been caused by ground current.

“Yung tinatawag na ground current kung saan, kunwari,  naliligo sa ulan, siyempre po, basa ang ground. Kapag nag strike ang lightning doon, talagang  malaki ang chansa na maabot ng current 'yung mga naliligo sa ulan,” said PAGASA weather forecaster Loriedin dela Cruz-Galicia.

(For example, ground current occurs when someone is taking a bath in the rain and the ground is damp. When a lightning strikes, there’s a high chance the current will reach the bather.)

Dela Cruz-Galicia also warned the public of the dangers posed by bathing in the rain. 

“Habang nasa labas ka hindi ka safe. As long as nasa labas ka, ang pinaka safe nyan, ang lagi nating advice, pumasok tayo sa bahay at sturdy buildings,” she added.|

(You’re not safe as long as you’re outside. The safest thing to do is to take shelter in a house or a sturdy building.)

The state weather bureau reminds the public to seek shelter during thunderstorms. It added that people should avoid hiding under trees when there is lightning.

Meanwhile, PAGASA said local government units (LGUs) can also install lightning sensors in their respective areas, similar to the ones being used at airports.

“Kung meron silang budget, kung may maha-hire nga na meteorologist for DRR purposes, why not? Para mas maganda yun para mas localized, mas tailor fit ang warnings nila sa lugar nila,” Dela Cruz-Galicia said.

(If the LGUs have budget for it, then they may install [sensors] for more localized, tailor-fit warnings.)
—Sundy Locus/RF, GMA Integrated News