Lightning strike kills Antique fisherman

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A fisherman from Antique province died after being struck by lightning while aboard a fishing boat off the coast of Barangay Batbatan, Culasi, Antique.

Giovanni Nacasabug, 49, of Barangay Lamputong, Culasi, was believed to have died instantly after he was hit by lightning on the afternoon of July 9.

The incident also injured Giovanni’s son, 21-year-old Mark Jayson Nacasabug, a college student at the University of Antique.

According to reports, Giovanni and Mark Jayson left home to go fishing at around 8 a.m. on Tuesday. By 3:30 p.m., they decided to return home as it was already raining heavily, accompanied by thunder and lightning.

The father and son planned to take temporary shelter at Batbatan village.

However, before they could reach the shore, a lightning strike hit Giovanni on the head while Mark Jayson was struck on his back and right shoulder.

Corporal Remegio Bernaldez, a Culasi police investigator, said both victims were knocked down but were not thrown out of their banca.

Another fisherman found them and rushed them to Culasi District Hospital, where Giovanni was declared dead on arrival.

Last month, another lightning strike claimed the life of a fisherman from Antique province. The victim, Leonard Minguez Agustin, was fishing in the waters off Barangay Lapaz Tubog, Hamtic, when he was struck by lightning.