Lightning deaths in Negros Occidental rise to six
By Glazyl M. Jopson
BACOLOD CITY – Three more people have died from lightning strikes in separate incidents in Negros Occidental, bringing the death toll to six between Oct. 30 and Nov. 2, 2026.
The latest fatality was reported in Pontevedra, where another victim died on Monday, Nov. 2, two days after three others were killed and two others were injured by lightning in Barangay Don Salvador Benedicto (DSB) on Oct. 31.
The six victims had just finished harvesting unmilled rice and were taking shelter inside a nipa hut when lightning struck.
In Binalbagan, a 51-year-old farmer was killed and a 14-year-old girl was among those injured after lightning struck their home during heavy rains in Barangay Santol on Oct. 31.
The incident was reported late to authorities by the family.
The Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (LDRRMO) provided PHP 10,000 in financial assistance on top of the municipal government’s aid as part of its recovery and rehabilitation program for calamity victims.
On Oct. 30, an 18-year-old man also died after being struck by lightning while at home in Barangay Caliling, Cauayan.
In a radio interview, the teenager’s father recalled that they had chatted that morning before he learned of his son’s death in the afternoon.
He was working as a driver-operator in Hinoba-an when the incident happened.
He said it was extremely painful to accept the death of his eldest child, especially because he was far away when it happened.
The incidents highlight the dangers of thunderstorms, with authorities reminding residents to seek shelter in enclosed buildings and avoid open fields, isolated trees and exposed structures during lightning storms.
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