BACOLOD City – A 48-year-old fisherman died after he was struck by lightning while fishing off the coast of Barangay Tomongtong in E.B. Magalona, Negros Occidental, on Friday afternoon, July 31.
Police withheld the victim’s identity, identifying him only by his alias “Fredo,” a married resident of Purok Banagan, Barangay Tomongtong.
According to the E.B. Magalona Municipal Police Station, the incident occurred at about 3:35 p.m. while the victim was fishing aboard his motorized banca.
Initial investigation showed that the fisherman was at sea when lightning suddenly struck him.
Fellow fishermen immediately rescued the victim and brought him back to shore.
Responders from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)-E.B. Magalona, who were alerted by a concerned citizen through a cellphone call, rushed to the scene and transported the victim to the Teresita Jalandoni
Provincial Memorial Hospital in Silay City for emergency treatment.
However, the attending physician declared the fisherman dead on arrival.
Police said initial investigation showed no indication of foul play, confirming that the victim died due to a lightning strike.
Authorities reminded fishermen and other sea travelers to monitor weather conditions and immediately seek shelter when thunderstorms develop to avoid similar incidents./PN
