At least five people, including two children, were killed and 100 more were injured in a series of lighting strikes on a mountain range that forms the border between Poland and Slovakia Thursday.
The strikes occurred in the Tatra Mountains. The mountains are popular with hikers and families.
On a day that began fair-weathered and sunny, the conditions took a turn for the worse around noon when a thunderstorm and heavy lightning strikes began, as reported by Polish Press Agency.
Four people were killed in southern Poland, including two children, were confirmed dead, and one person died in nothern Slovakia. The Slovak rescue service said a Czech was killed when he fell hundreds of yards after he was knocked off a peak by lightning.
Giewont, a popular mountain range in the area, features a metal cross that attracts lightning, and some of the more difficult parts of hiking trails feature chains that hikers hold when climbing. It is believed one of the chains was struck by lightning while a climber was holding it, Filip Zieba, deputy director of the Tatra Naional Park said, Polish Press Agency reported.
Around 100 people were thought to be injured, and officials were still searching in the mountains for people hurt in the incident.
Mateusz Morawiecki, the prime minister of Poland, offered his condolences to those affected by the tragedy.
“I would like to express my deepest sympathy for the families of those who died,” Morawiecki said in a statement.
With News Wire Services.