Eighteen people were injured in the Czech Republic after a tree they were sheltering under was struck by lightning, according to local emergency services.
The incident occurred on Sunday afternoon in Liberec-Vratislavice castle park, located about 55 miles (90 km) north-east of Prague.
Photos and videos from the scene, shared by the fire service, show numerous emergency personnel and vehicles present.
While officials have not provided detailed information on the injured, local media indicated that children were among those taken to the hospital.
The park was hosting an event to mark International Children’s Day at the time.
Czech TV station CT 24 reported that five of the injured were children aged between two and 16, and five adults were resuscitated at the scene.
A spokesperson for the Liberec regional hospital, Vaclav Ricar, told local newspaper Liberecky Denik that the hospital received 17 conscious patients.
He also confirmed that one child was airlifted to a hospital in Prague.
Over the weekend, the Czech Republic experienced heavy rain and storms, leading to flooding in some areas.
While many factors contribute to flooding, climate change, which has caused the atmosphere to warm by about 1.1C since the industrial era began, makes extreme rainfall more likely.
Without significant cuts to global emissions, temperatures will continue to rise.
Experts advise that if you are caught outside during a thunderstorm, you should find a low spot away from trees, fences, and poles.
If your skin tingles or your hair stands on end, it means lightning is about to strike.
In such cases, crouch down immediately, balancing on the balls of your feet, with your hands on your knees and your head between them.
This position helps to minimize your contact with the ground and make yourself the smallest target possible.
Source-BBC
