Lightning strikes Manila Bay, kills three swimming kids

Three children from Baseco Compound in Port Area, Manila, were killed when a lightning bolt hit the Manila Bay while they were swimming Friday afternoon during a thunderstorm, a report on "24 Oras" said.

"Habang naliligo ho kami tapos umuulan, bigla pong kumidlat. Bago po ako nawalan ng malay, nakita ko po na tumama 'yung kidlat sa tubig," Wilson Huit, one of the two survivors, recalled.

The victims—Nilson Huit, 13; Junjun Rial, 17; and MJ Aregatas, 12—were declared dead on arrival at a nearby hospital.

The report said the two survivors immediately asked for help after the incident.

"Mayroon nga raw pong tatlong bata doon na ang suspetsa ay tinamaan ng kidlat," said Brgy. Capt. Kristo Hispano.

Cerilo Malamid, a security guard at the Baseco Reclaimed Area, said: "Hatak-hatak na po kasi nila ['yung tatlo] nung kumakaway sa amin. Tapos paglapit namin nakita namin na nakahandusay na at bumubula na ang bibig."

Police Sr. Insp. Joey Estucia, commander of the police station in the compound, said the three were already dead by the time they arrived.

"Nadatnan na namin itong tatlo na naka-handusay na 'dun na walang buhay," Estucia said.

According to the doctor who looked into the victims, the three were not directly hit by the lightning.

"Hindi naman daw po actually na kidlat ang tumama sa kanila. Kuryente. Sinasabi ng doktor, kung talagang kidlat ang tumama sa kanila, masusunog sila," said Nelson Huit, father of one of the victims.

Weather bureau PAGASA warned the public against swimming in open water during thunderstorms. —Rie Takumi/KBK, GMA News