More than 30 people injured after being struck by lightning during protest | World | News

Several protesters were seriously injured in a violent storm during a demonstration in Brazil. The group was gathering near the JK Monument in the capital Brasilia when thunderclouds moved in on Sunday afternoon.

Eyewitnesses said lightning struck protesters, causing dozens of people to fall to the ground. The incident occurred just before 13:00 local time, and military authorities and emergency services quickly rushed to the aid of 72 people in need of care.

The local fire department confirmed that 30 of the 72 people were taken to hospital, eight of them in serious condition.

Speaking to Brazilian outlet g1, eyewitness Alfredo Santan said of the devastating scenes: “Lightning struck and then everyone fell. We didn’t understand anything until we managed to get up and help each other while so many people were running.”

“Firefighters and paramedics were already there, but there were too many people at the same time. It hit right in front of us, very close to the sound truck.”

Approximately 13 patients were confirmed to have been taken to Hospital de Base in Brasília, and at least five to Hospital Regional da Asa Norte.

Most of the victims required minor treatments for burns and shock, although they were not seriously injured.

School monitor Patricia Rosa, one of the hospitalized survivors, described how the strike brought her and others down during the protest.

He explained that he suffered severe burns on his arms and abdomen, and also struggled with severe earache after the lightning strike.

Protesters were waiting in the capital for an opposition march of supporters of former president Jair Bolsonaro to arrive.