Three tourists have been struck by a lightning on a trail between Hala Gąsienicowa and Kuźnice in the Tatra Mountains. The information has been confirmed by the Tatra Volunteer Search and Rescue (TOPR) duty officer.
At first it's been unclear what injuries the tourists had sustained. "We've received a text message from the TOPR duty officer, saying tha three tourists returning from Hala Gąsienicowa to Kuźnice, most likely halfway, have been struck by a lightning," The head of Tatra National Park guard, Edward Wlazło, said in TVN24.
All three have been taken to a hospital. It turned out that they hadn't been hit directly, but got knocked off their feet by the impact. Their health and lives aren't at risk.
Around 2 pm on Friday, a heavy thunderstorm with hailstones broke out over the Tatras. The rescuers have rushed to help the tourists by foot, as heavy downpour made it impossible to use the helicopter.
Storm over Tatras
Scores of tourists visit the Tatra Moutains. In the last days of summer, storms occur almost everyday in the afternoon. Friday's storm was also expected in the forecasts.
Last week, on Thursday, 4 people lost their lives, including 2 children, and over 150 got injured as a result of a heavy thunderstorm that had passed over the Tatra Mountains.
Autor: gf / Źródło: TVN24 News in English, PAP