A rescue spokesman confirmed that five people died, including four Polish citizens, including two children, and a Slovak, when lightning struck a chain and a large metal cross on the Giewont peak in the Tatra Mountains in southern Poland.
Rescuers transported people injured by lightning to the hospital
The incident occurred in the early afternoon of August 22 when many tourists were planning to conquer the Giewont peak. In addition, the lightning strike also injured more than 100 people, many of whom are in serious condition with many burns on their bodies.
Rescue and medical forces, including many helicopters and ambulances, were mobilized to take the injured to hospitals in three towns of the Malopolska region, southern Poland for treatment. On the same afternoon, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki also personally went to the scene to assess the situation and direct the recovery work.
Police and rescue workers continue to check roads in the area to see if anyone else is injured or needs help.
According to health officials, the death toll may rise.
Situated at an altitude of 1,894 m, Giewont is the most famous tourist destination in the Tatra Mountains. At the top of the mountain, the 15 m high cross is always the focus of conquest for tourists, but at the same time it is also the place that receives a lot of thunder and lightning during thunderstorms.
The cross on top of Giewont
