A tragic incident unfolded on Saturday afternoon when a 29-year-old woman named Dominika Lebotia was struck by lightning at the Saint Vincent grounds near Natovi Jetty in Tailevu. Dominika, a resident of Qelekuro Village in the Namena district, was walking towards the jetty when the fatal lightning strike occurred.
Vincent Yalimai, a 19-year-old who was present at the time, recounted the harrowing scene. He and five friends were cutting grass at the nearby Saint Vincent School compound when heavy rains began around noon, quickly followed by a thunderstorm. As the storm worsened, they sought shelter on the school verandah and noticed Dominika continuing her path towards the jetty.
Despite their calls for her to take cover from the lightning, she waved them off and continued walking. Moments later, a bolt of lightning struck, and Dominika was found lying unconscious on the ground. Yalimai described the shocking aftermath: “We rushed to her and saw her hair smoking, her chest was fried. Everything metal on her body was burnt.”
Emergency services took her to Korovou Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. This tragic event serves as a somber reminder of the dangers associated with severe weather, emphasizing the critical importance of seeking shelter during thunderstorms. The community mourns the loss of Dominika, who is remembered fondly by those who knew her.
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