Lightning strike kills 2 soldiers, injures 4 in Kalinga

Two soldiers died while four others were injured after they were struck by lightning during a security operation in the town of Lubuagan in Kalinga, it was reported Tuesday.

The Philippine Army’s 5th Infantry Division said the soldiers were conducting a security operation at the boundary of Lubuagan and Pasil towns on Sunday afternoon against suspected insurgents prior to the accident.

Witnesses said it was around 4:30 p.m. when the area assigned to the 54th Battalion experienced a sudden thunderstorm.

A lightning strike instantly killed Corporal Andrew Monterubio and Private First Class Inmongog Aronchay. Four of their fellow soldiers sustained injuries. They were identified as Sergeant Dennis Bananao, PFC Melvin Danggalan, PFC Abegil Awingan, and PFC Riel Angya.—RF, GMA Integrated News