Two students were killed while three others were injured after lightning struck their hut in Barangay Kauswagan here Sunday night.
According to initial reports, five young men were having a small gathering inside a nipa hut around 7 p.m. when a bolt of lightning hit a nearby coconut tree and struck them.
The fatalities were identified as Mark Zorend Butal and Jobert Lumicday, both 21 years old, who were declared dead on arrival at San Miguel Hospital.
Three others – Lemuel Estorgio, 23; Nelo Racines, 20; and Ramces Roscual, 24- survived the incident.
Estorgio sustained serious injuries but managed to regain consciousness and seek help from a nearby house about 100 meters away.
He was initially rushed to San Miguel Hospital and later transferred to Don Emilio Hospital for further treatment.
Racines and Roscual also regained consciousness and searched for their two companions, who remained unresponsive. Both suffered minor injuries and were taken to the Garcia Memorial Provincial Hospital in Talibon.
Members of the Barangay Emergency Response Team and local volunteers assisted in bringing the victims to the hospital.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration had earlier issued a thunderstorm advisory for Bohol on Sunday evening, warning of possible heavy rains, lightning, and strong winds.