Deadly weather - A person dies after being struck by lightning on Zugspitze
An 18-year-old died after being struck by lightning on Germany's highest mountain, the Zugspitze (2962 meters). According to police reports, the young man was with two other men from North Rhine-Westphalia and had gone to the Zugspitze and run towards the nearby Zugspitzpeak, which is not even 80 meters away from the Bergstation terrace. On the way back, a lightning strike hit the area of the peak multiple times and severely on Sunday.
The 18-year-old, from a community in the Kreis Viersen, was reportedly killed. His companions were reportedly taken care of by the Crisis Intervention Service. Several media outlets reported on the incident earlier.
The storm complicated the rescue efforts. A helicopter could not fly, and the Zugspitzbahn could not operate. The rescue had to be delayed due to multiple lightning strikes in the Bergstation and peak area.
- Despite the challenging conditions brought by the bad weather, emergency services in Munich coordinated their efforts to respond to the lightning strike incident on the Zugspitze.
- Before the incident, the three friends from North Rhine-Westphalia had enjoyed a trip to Grainau, a popular tourist destination known for its ideal weather conditions.
- German police are now investigating the circumstances leading up to the fatal lightning strike, hoping to shed light on why the group chose to venture out during such hazardous weather conditions.
- After the incident, authorities in Munich urged tourists and outdoor enthusiasts to check weather forecasts before planning trips to high-altitude areas, emphasizing the potential lethal consequences of bad weather and lightning strikes.
- The weather in Germany saw a sudden turn, with heavy storms and multiple lightning strikes causing disruptions in various parts of the country, including the Zugspitze region.
