A tragic incident occurred on Saturday afternoon when Dominika Lebotia, a 29-year-old woman from Qelekuro Village in the Namena district, was struck and killed by lightning at the Saint Vincent grounds near Natovi Jetty.
Eyewitness Vincent Yalimai, 19, was working with friends at the Saint Vincent School when heavy rain began around noon, accompanied shortly by a thunderstorm and lightning. As the group sought refuge on the school verandah, they noticed Dominika heading towards the jetty. Despite their calls for her to take shelter, she continued on her way.
Moments later, lightning struck, and Dominika was found lying unconscious. Upon rushing to her aid, Yalimai described a horrific scene; her hair was smoking, and her body had severe burns from the lightning strike. Efforts to revive her continued en route to Korovou Hospital, where she was sadly pronounced dead.
This incident serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers posed by thunderstorms and the unpredictability of nature. It highlights the importance of being cautious during such severe weather conditions. The community mourns the loss of a young life and extends condolences to Dominika’s family during this difficult time.