Huay Yai-
On September 26th, 2024, at approximately 1:00 p.m., a devastating lightning strike occurred at a cassava plantation in Huai Yai, resulting in one fatality and one serious injury.
The incident took place not far from the Huai Yai Municipality Fire Station. Ruangsak Siribut, Deputy Chief of Investigation at Huai Yai Police Station, received the distress call and promptly arrived at the scene with rescue workers from the Sawang Boriboon Foundation of Pattaya City. Upon arrival, they were met with heavy rain and continuous lightning strikes.
Mr. Son, a 16-year-old Cambodian national, was found writhing in agony under a khoi tree with torn clothes and burn marks. He was immediately transported to Wat Yan Sangwararam Hospital. Another Cambodian man, approximately 30-35 years old, was found deceased next to a white Toyota Mighty-X pickup truck. His body bore similar burn marks and torn clothing.
Mr. Phong, a 30-year-old Cambodian worker, recounted that six workers were cutting cassava when the sky darkened, and thunder began to rumble. Seeking shelter, some workers hid under the tree while others took refuge in the pickup truck. Two strong thunderstorms struck, injuring those in the vehicle and killing the man in the back of the truck.
Mr. Sakda Rot-amphan, 54, the employer of the workers, expressed his shock at the unprecedented severity of the lightning. He received a frantic call from the workers and rushed to the scene, witnessing over ten violent lightning strikes on his way.
Mr. Niran Noensinthong, a prevention officer from the Huai Yai Subdistrict Municipality, led the rescue team. Despite initial fears for their safety due to the intense lightning, they bravely entered the area to assist the injured.
Local residents and officials were stunned by the severity of the lightning, noting that such extreme weather had never been witnessed in the area before. This tragic event serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable and dangerous nature of lightning storms, especially in open agricultural areas.
