CITY OF CALAPAN –– Lightning killed two men in separate incidents Wednesday when Tropical Storm “Dante” hit Mindoro Island, disaster response officials said Thursday.
Jisson Carpio, 28, of Barangay Barcenaga of Naujan town in Oriental Mindoro, was in Sta. Maria village of the same town about 10 a.m. Wednesday, when lightning struck him and his companion, Romnick dela Torre, 32, according to Joery Geroleo, head of the Municipal Disaster Risk and Reduction Management Office (MDRRMO).
Carpio died on the spot. Dela Torre was given first aid before he was brought to the Oriental Mindoro Provincial Hospital for treatment of his severe headache and loss of hearing.
In San Jose town in Occidental Mindoro, the MDRRMO reported to the police on Wednesday the death of Arnel Lamboloto Jr., 19. Lightning struck him at 3 p.m. Tuesday.
The report said Laboloto was in Mapayaon village of San Jose when lightning hit the tree where he sought cover against the heavy rain and burned half of his body.
Relatives rushed him to a private hospital in the town but no physician was around, prompting them to bring him to another private hospital. By the time he reached the next hospital, he was declared dead on arrival, the report said.