A Belgian man was killed in Bali after getting struck by lightning when surfing in the Canggu area on Sunday afternoon.
Denis Andre Dasoul had been taking a surf lesson at Batu Bolong Beach when the lightning struck, Indonesian media is reporting.
“It was precisely in front of Batu Bolong Beach Temple, he died from being hit by lightning,” North Kuta Criminal Investigation Unit Chief Putu Ika Prabawa confirmed to Detik on Monday.
Police say that the 34-year-old and his teacher had been in the water, sitting on their boards, according to witness accounts.
“Witnesses saw the victim was suddenly struck by lightning and both fell of their boards,” Prabawa said.
Hearing the explosive lightning strike and seeing the two men go down, locals went in to rescue the pair. Attempts made to resuscitate Dasoul on the beach were unsuccessful.
Both the Belgian and his teacher had blue marks on their bodies from the lightning, presumably scorch marks.
“The condition of the victim after the incident was that his chest was blue and he was unconscious. The instructor was also blue on his left thigh,” Prabawa said.
The exact cause of death of the Belgian has not yet been confirmed at this time.
While victims hit by lightning can get third degree burns, cardiac arrest is one of the leading causes of death in lightning strike victims. Seizures, respiratory arrest, and severe brain damage are also possible outcomes of getting struck.
Dasoul was rushed to Canggu Medika Hospital, but could not be revived.
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