Tourist Dies from Lightning Strike while on Vacation at Lumajang Beach

Illustration of a cloudy sky on the beach (ANTARA/Karel A Polakitan)

LUMAJANG - Ten people were reported to have been victims of lightning strikes while on vacation at Watu Pecak Beach and Bambang Beach in Lumajang Regency, East Java. One of them died.

"Based on the information we received from the Pasirian Police, two people were struck by lightning at the Watu Pecak Beach tourist attraction and eight people were struck by lightning at Bambang Beach. Both tourist attractions are in the Pasirian District," said Kasubsi Information and Multimedia Documentation (PIDM) Manager Sihumas Lumajang Police Chief Suprapto in Lumajang, quoted by ANTARA on Sunday, March 29.

Heavy rain accompanied by lightning occurred in Pasirian District since Saturday afternoon (28/3) and at that time many tourists had already returned, but some tourists chose to shelter first while waiting for the rain to subside.

"At Bambang Beach, initially eight tourists enjoyed the beach tour, then they took shelter in a tent made by themselves when heavy rain accompanied by lightning in the tourist area," he said.

Not long after, lightning suddenly struck their tent. The victims were injured and some were unconscious, so the security officers and the committee were immediately taken to the Pasirian Health Center and the Pasirian Regional General Hospital (RSUD).

"Of the eight victims, one of them died, one is still in a coma and was referred to Pasirian Hospital and the other six suffered minor injuries who underwent treatment at Pasirian Health Center," he said.

The victim who died was struck by lightning, namely Alvin (23) a resident of Candipuro Village, his body was at Pasirian Hospital, while the victim who was not conscious, namely Radit who was also a resident of Candipuro Village who was referred to Pasirian Hospital.

The six victims who suffered minor injuries, namely Riyanto (25), Tomi (22), and Dadang (25), all of them residents of Jarit Village, Candipuro District, then Junaidi (22) and Sutikno (23), both residents of Sumberejo Village-Candipuro District, and Fagis Gama (24) residents of Candipuro Village/District.

Meanwhile, at Watu Pecak Beach, the two victims who were struck by lightning were a grandfather and grandson who had a stall on the west side of Pecak Beach. Suddenly lightning struck around the hut, so the victim was shocked and immediately fainted, then taken to Pasirian Hospital.

Suprapto appealed to tourists and the public to be aware of extreme weather that could occur at any time in the southern coastal area of Lumajang, and to find a safe place when extreme weather strikes the local area.