Tragedy on the beach: three people died due to a lightning strike in the Tula region

On Monday, July 14, it became known about the tragedy that occurred due to a lightning strike on the beach in the Tula region. At the time of the article's publication, it was known that three people, including a 14-year-old teenager, had died and four more were injured. One woman is in serious condition. For more information about the incident, as well as about safety measures on the water during a thunderstorm, see the Izvestia article.

Lightning strike on the beach in the Tula region: What is known about the victims

On Monday, July 14, it became known about the deaths of three people, including a man, a woman and a teenager born in 2011. It is reported that they died before the arrival of medical teams, who were at the scene of the incident in 17 minutes.

Four more vacationers were injured, while the condition of one of the women is assessed as serious, Pavel Fedorov, head of the Aleksinsky district administration, told TASS. Two injured women were taken to the Aleksinsky Central district hospital. They receive the necessary medical care. Two more victims, a man and a teenager, refused to be hospitalized, and all necessary medical care is being provided to them on the spot.

The incident happened on the beach in the village of Bunyrevo, Tula region. As it became known later, two of the victims were residents of Moscow.

"Two victims are from our city (Aleksin — Ed.), and one victim is from Moscow. The identities have been previously established, but the authorities are still working there," Pavel Fedorov said.

According to Fedorov, the relatives of the victims will receive all the necessary assistance. They've already been contacted.

The Prosecutor's Office of the Tula region has organized an inspection of compliance with the legislation governing the organization of summer holidays for citizens at the water facility, Fedorov told RIA Novosti.

Deaths of people on the beach in the Tula region: investigation

According to the Investigative Committee of the Tula region, a procedural check has already been organized into the deaths of people on the beach. The scene of the incident is currently being examined, and all the circumstances of the incident are being established.

It is also known that the Aleksinsky interdistrict prosecutor Yuri Shcherbakov has already left for the scene.

How often does lightning strike a person?

Lightning strikes on people are a rare but very dangerous phenomenon. According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), about six thousand people die from lightning strikes every year in the world. In Russia, such cases occur mainly in the summer, when thunderstorms become more active, and people relax en masse in nature, near reservoirs and in open spaces.

According to the Russian Hydrometeorological Service and the Ministry of Emergency Situations, on average, about 20-30 people die from lightning strikes in the country every year, and there are several times more victims. Recent cases of lightning strikes in Russia confirm the danger of this natural phenomenon.

In May 2024, in Balashikha, Moscow region, lightning struck a man who was walking from a garage to a house with an umbrella open, trying to hide from the rain. At that moment, his umbrella was hit by a deadly lightning bolt. Surveillance cameras recorded a bright flash, after which the man collapsed on the asphalt and died on the spot from his injuries.

Another tragic incident occurred in July 2024 in the Odintsovo district of the Moscow region. Four people — two men and two women — were hiding from the downpour under one umbrella. Suddenly, lightning struck them. Eyewitnesses described the incident as a "bright flash with orange fireworks", after which the victims fell to the ground. One of the men, a 67-year-old pensioner, died on the spot, and his 39-year-old son-in-law suffered severe burns. His 39-year-old wife and her 61-year-old mother were also injured.

In August 2023, in the Sverdlovsk region, a woman was killed by lightning on the "health trail" in a wooded area near the city of Lesnoy. According to the regional Investigative Committee, the woman and her sister decided to take a walk in the woods when a heavy rainstorm suddenly began. They tried to hide under a tree, but at that moment the woman was struck by lightning, which instantly killed her. The deceased turned out to be a resident of Moscow, a native of the Sverdlovsk city of Nizhnyaya Tura.

What is lightning and what is its danger?

Lightning is a powerful electrical discharge that can cause cardiac arrest, severe burns, and damage to the nervous system. Even with successful resuscitation, survivors often have serious health consequences. According to statistics, about 75% of people survive a lightning strike, but many of them face chronic pain and neurological problems.

Lightning most often strikes people who are in open spaces, near water, under lonely trees or metal structures. In Russia and the world, men become victims in 70-86% of cases, which is due to their greater activity in nature and physiological characteristics. The lack of protective shoes and contact with wet surfaces increase the risk of injury, as the current passes through the body more easily.

When lightning strikes water, the current spreads in all directions for a distance of up to 100 meters and can hit anyone. And the coastline is one of the most likely places for lightning to strike.

How to behave on the water in a thunderstorm

Summer is the time to relax on the beach, however, there are often cases when the weather is sudden in the 30-degree heat. Not everyone remembers that swimming is strictly forbidden in bad weather due to possible accidents and various tragedies. Alexey Ptashkin, a rehabilitologist, kinesiotherapist, and expert at the Infowork educational marketplace, told Izvestia how to protect yourself during bad weather.

If you feel a thunderstorm coming, don't hesitate — it's time to pack. Drop everything you can and hurry to leave the beach or pond. Water is not a place to stay during a thunderstorm, so get out onto dry land as soon as possible. Single trees or tall buildings can become tempting targets for lightning, so do not seek shelter under them. If you find yourself in a boat when a thunderstorm starts, try to dock as quickly as possible and move away from the water to a safe distance. In an open area, try to find a hollow or depression in the ground where you can hide. It can be a ravine, a pit, or just a slight lowering of the terrain. The main thing is to avoid hills and open spaces.

And one more important point: if you have built a campfire, it is better to put it out during a thunderstorm. Smoke can attract discharges, so don't take any chances. Do not forget to disconnect the electronic devices and put them in a waterproof bag or bag. This will help protect them from damage," the expert recommended.

According to Alexey Ptashkin, lightning can harm a person even if he is indoors.

If a thunderstorm finds you at home, first of all close all windows and doors. This will not only help to avoid drafts, which can contribute to the penetration of discharges, but also protect against sudden wind and rain. Try to stay away from windows, fireplaces, and any metal objects such as batteries or pipes. These objects can become conductors of electricity in the event of a lightning strike.

Disconnect all electrical appliances from the mains. This is necessary to protect them from possible damage due to power surges that often accompany thunderstorms. Also, you should not use a telephone, especially a landline one, since communication lines can conduct electricity. If possible, it is better to completely turn off the electricity in the house. Avoid contact with water taps and systems, as water can conduct electricity. This applies not only to faucets, but also to showers and bathtubs. It is better to temporarily refrain from using water during a thunderstorm, the speaker added.

It is important to remember that water is an ideal conductor of electricity. According to experts, with the onset of a thunderstorm, all swimmers should immediately go ashore. Those who are on land, but on an uneven shore, need to go from an elevated place to a low place and away from the water.

It is important to remember other safety rules on the beach during thunderstorms.:

— you can not hide under free-standing trees, poles, metal objects or in a tent;

— It is important to turn off the phone after calling your family to provide information about your location and condition. Also, do not take pictures against the background of sparkling lightning: phones attract electrical discharges.;

— before going to the beach, you need to check the weather forecast;

— it is important to remove all metal objects from the head and body;

— it is necessary to choose specially equipped places;

— don't let your guard down.

Rehabilitologist Alexey Ptashkin shared what to do if you witnessed a lightning strike.

— If necessary, perform resuscitation measures such as artificial respiration and indirect heart massage. Remember that these actions should only be performed by those who are trained to perform them. Do not approach the victim if there is a risk of repeated lightning strikes. Make sure you are in a safe place before providing assistance. If the victim is conscious, put him in a comfortable position and cover him with clothes or a blanket to keep him warm. This will help him feel more comfortable and prevent hypothermia. Try to calm the victim down and wait for medical help to arrive," the expert advised.