6 killed, 17 hurt when lightning struck Negros Occidental village

BACOLOD CITY – Five children and a woman were killed while 17 others were wounded on Wednesday when they were struck by lightning at Sitio Baras-Barasan, Barangay Manlocahoc, Sipalay City, Negros Occidental province.

The victims were struck by lightning about 1:30 p.m. while inside a truck where they took shelter from the heavy rains, Chief Inspector Nasser Canja, Sipalay police officer-in-charge, said.

Killed on the spot were Mary Tejoc, 35; Mariel Montecino, 12; and Charlene, 12; Mae Ann, 9, Ardemiel, 10 and Rose, 5, all with the surname Seminion.

Canja said the 17 injured victims were brought to different hospitals in Kabankalan and Bacolod cities, for treatment of their burns and injuries.

He said the adult victims were farm workers while the minors were children of farm workers who helped their parents in the sugarcane field.

The city government of Sipalay have extended assistance to the victims, according to Canja./lb