15-year-old sitting under a tree is killed by lightning

- 15-year-old sitting under a tree is killed by lightning

A 15-year-old was fatally injured when lightning struck in Welzheim, Baden-Württemberg, east of Stuttgart in the Rems-Murr district. Along with another teenager, he was under a tree on a hill during a thunderstorm on Wednesday evening, as reported by the police. Then the lightning struck. The second teenager was severely injured. Emergency services took him to a hospital.

During thunderstorms: stay away from trees

In general, it is dangerous to be outside during a thunderstorm. Lightning tends to strike high, isolated points on the landscape, such as power lines, towers, or single trees. Therefore, it makes sense to stay away from such high objects. The German Weather Service (DWD) also advises not to be near bodies of water or metal fences during a thunderstorm.

Despite the advice to avoid high and isolated points during thunderstorms, regrettably, the two teenagers were under a tree on a hill. To avoid such incidents, individuals should remember to stay indoors or find safe shelter during thunderstorms, as trees can attract lightning.

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