By Leilanie G. Adriano
Staff reporter
Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte—Rice farmers were about to go home on a late Monday afternoon
when a lightning bolt struck them, killing two family men in their middle age
while two others were hurt at Brgy. Naglicuan this town.
The Pasuquin municipal health
station declared the two victims identified as Joven Ratuita Sr. and Arnel
Galiza, 30 as “dead on arrival”. Their two other companions, Eddie Villanueva
and Nick Cornelio, all from the farming village of Naglicuan were rushed to the
Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital for treatment.
According to Dr. Rolando
Dumlao, Pasuquin municipal health officer said the victims bore no injury
caused by lighting.
Farm owner Leonardo Balon who
saw the incident said they were already about to go home after planting rice
when a booming thunder and lightning struck prompting everyone to run for
shelter.
On his way to get back a pail
that he left behind, he found his other companions laying on the ground asking
for help.
He said Mr. Ratuita and Mr. Galiza
were still alive when they were rushed to the hospital but they succumbed to
death a few minutes later.
During the onset of rainy
season this year, heavy thunder and lightning strikes has claimed a number of
lives, mostly farmers in this northern part of Luzon particularly in the towns
of Solsona, Banna, Marcos, Dingras and recently, in Pasuquin town.
Local officials here advised
the public to stay indoors and unplug appliances when during thunderstorms.
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