Singapore: 7, Including 2 Children, Rushed to Hospital After Lightning Strike Incident at Pasir Ris Beach
Seven people, including two children, were taken to hospital on Sunday, July 5, following a lightning strike incident at Pasir Ris Beach.
The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said that it was alerted to the incident at about 4.50 pm.
One person was taken unconscious to Sengkang General Hospital, while four others were taken conscious to the same hospital. Two children were taken conscious to KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital.
Man Reportedly Struck While in Water
The Straits Times reported that a man in his 20s was struck by lightning while taking part in water activities off the beach and was unconscious when taken to hospital.
According to Chinese-language daily Lianhe Zaobao, the man was among eight people, including five males and three females, who were kayaking and paddleboarding at the beach when the incident occurred.
Emergency Response at the Beach
A video filmed at about 5.10 pm by a Straits Times reader showed groups of people gathered on a grassy area beside the beach while an SCDF officer appeared to perform chest compressions on a person lying on the ground.
A Light Fire Attack Vehicle, commonly known as the Red Rhino, and an ambulance were also seen parked on a nearby pavement.
Police Presence at Pasir Ris Park
Several photos published by Lianhe Zaobao later showed a police vehicle near Carpark D at Pasir Ris Park at about 6.30pm.
Singapore experiences frequent thunderstorms and has an average of 176 lightning days each year, according to the Meteorological Service Singapore. A lightning day is defined as a day when at least one lightning occurrence is detected at the Changi climate station.
The incident comes amid several recent lightning-related accidents in Singapore. In May, a worker at a fish farm died after being struck by lightning. In 2023, three workers were taken to hospital after lightning struck near their worksite on December 28.
The authorities have not yet released further details on the condition of those involved in the Pasir Ris Beach incident.
