US government ‘in crisis’
3 killed in lightning strike at White House
08/06/2022 02:43 am
During a heavy thunderstorm in the US capital, Washington, lightning struck a park near the White House. Eyewitnesses describe a “terrible explosion”. There are many casualties.
Death toll rises to 3 after lightning strikes near White House in Washington After a couple, a 29-year-old man died of his injuries on Friday, police in the US capital said. The seriously injured woman was still in critical condition.
According to the fire department, lightning struck Parc Lafayette Square opposite the presidential office on Thursday evening (local time) and struck two women and two men. Those with life-threatening injuries were rushed to nearby hospitals.
Police first confirmed on Friday that two of the injured had died. A 75-year-old woman and her 76-year-old husband have been identified, sources said. The couple came from the northern US state of Wisconsin and wanted to celebrate their 56th wedding anniversary in Washington, their daughter-in-law told the “Milwaukee Journal Sentinel” newspaper. The critically injured 29-year-old man was later pronounced dead.
The victims seem to have wanted to shelter themselves from the thunderstorm under a tree – experts warn. “Trees are not safe places,” fire department spokesman Vito Maggiolo told the Washington Post. Instead, they are “most dangerous places” during thunderstorms.
The Secret Service provides first aid
The fire department said that security forces and park police who witnessed the lightning strike gave first aid. An eyewitness told NBC television that he heard a “terrible noise.” “I couldn’t believe it. It was so surreal.”
Karine Jean-Pierre, a spokeswoman for US President Joe Biden, said the government was “saddened by the tragic loss of life”. An average of 27 people are killed by lightning each year in the United States. Only about 10 percent of people struck by lightning die, but many survivors suffer permanent damage.
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