Lightning strike kills two, injures around 150 at festival in South Africa

Two people were killed and around 150 others injured after a lightning strike hit a festive gathering in northern South Africa on January 4, local media reported.

According to radio station EWN, citing medical authorities in the North West Province, 13 of the injured are in critical condition. A total of 49 people remain hospitalised, while the others were discharged after receiving medical assistance.

The incident occurred in the settlement of Dertig, located about 70 kilometres north of the country’s capital, Pretoria. Residents had gathered for a traditional music and dance festival when a thunderstorm began and lightning struck the crowd.

South Africa is currently in its rainy season, which is marked by frequent and unusually intense thunderstorms, increasing the risk of such incidents.