TAGUM CITY ? A 14-year-old girl was killed and four others injured when lightning struck a group of students at a school compound during a downpour in this city on Friday, village officials on Saturday said.

Hazel Grace Deguilmo was killed instantly due to severe burns following the incident at Laureta National High School in San Miguel village past 3 p.m., said barangay (village) captain Vilma Rivera.

Rivera said four others ? Herlyn Libres, Rico Lumando, Kate Miparanum and Jenny Beltran ? were hospitalized following the incident.

The students, from first to fourth year, were resting on a concrete bench at the school grounds when lightning hit a mahogany tree several meters away, Rivera said. Most of the victims were thrown off when a loud explosion was heard, Rivera, quoting witnesses, said. Frinston L. Lim, Inquirer Mindanao