GENERAL TRIAS CITY, Cavite – Two minors were killed while three others were injured after they were struck by lightning during heavy downpour in this city on Thursday.

The fatalities were identified as Xian Agripa Parangan, a 10-year-old student of Pasong Camachile Elementary School and a resident of Bgy. Pasong Camachile 2, General Trias City, Cavite; and Edison Hachero, 16, of Bgy. Santiago, of the same city.

The injured were John Carlo Mira, 9; Vince Angelo Angcaya, 10, both of Bgy. Pasong Camachile 2; and Jovic Gubat, an adult and a resident of Bgy. Santiago, General Trias City.

The three victims are currently being observed at the hospital.

In a report submitted to Col. Jose O. Naparato Jr., the city police chief, showed the first incident occurred around 4 p.m. on Thursday in Sitio Kiko Rosa, Bgy. San Francisco.

Hachero and Gubat were standing on the middle of the road where they were working not far from their barracks and waiting for the rain to stop when suddenly a lightning struck them.

Witnesses rushed the duo to General Trias Medicare Hospital in Bgy. Pinagtipunan, where the teenager was declared dead on arrival.

At 5 p.m. on the same day, in Bgy. Pasong Camachile 2, the three minors – Parangan, Mira and Angcaya—were flying a kite in the open field area of the village when they decided to took shelter on a big tree after heavy rains pour.

They were waiting for the rain to stop when lightning hit the tree.

The minors were brought to the nearest hospital, but Parangan was pronounced dead on arrival.

Mira and Angcaya were later transferred to the Philippine General Hospital in Manila for further treatment of burnt wounds.

“Sinabihan ko na s’ya na pumirme na sa bahay at maulan, lumabas pa talaga s’ya para magpalipad ng saranggola, kasama ang kanyang mga kaibigan,” Parangan’s mother told probers.

General Trias City Mayor Luis Ferrer IV immediately provided assistance to the victims.

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Dennis Abrina