A 15-year-old boy died after he was struck by lightning while inside a hut on their farm in Polomolok, South Cotabato on Tuesday, October 14, 2025.

According to the boy’s aunt, the victim was about to roast corn for food when lightning struck suddenly.

“So ang bata daw gusto niya magsugba og mais pagtindog daw niya nasugapa niya ang kidlat. Siya ang napuruhan gyud,” boy’s aunt, Analyn Maga, said.

The boy, a Grade 10 student, died on the spot while his father and his brother-in-law, who were also inside the hut at that time, sustained minor injuries.

“Natamaan pud siya sa chest niya and other members na kasama niya tumalsik pero hindi naman sila nag-sustain ng any serious injury,” Polomolok Municipal Police Station Chief, Lt. Col. Harold Vidal, said.

State weather bureau PAGASA reported that the area experienced severe thunderstorm at that time.

What puzzled the family, however, was that the lightning struck even though the hut was far from trees.

“Actually, ang kahoy layo sa ilang payag nila. Layo kaayo,” Maga said.

PAGASA-12 Chief Meteorological Officer, Engr. Jaymar Artigas, explained that lightning can still be deadly even without a direct strike.

“Sa halip na tumama sa taller objects tulad ng antenna or punong kahoy, doon tumama sa bata. Kahit hindi man direktang tumama sa bata, pero yung charges, pag once itong nag-hit or nag-discharge sa lupa, kahit malayo pa yung bata, yung boltahe, dadaloy yan sa lupa, aabot ito ng walo o hangang 20 metros,” Artigas said.

The boy’s family is appealing for help.

“Dili namu ikaulaw kung kinsay makatabang mudawat gyud mi kay walang wala gyud mi,” Maga said.