Sri Lankan man treated after lightning strike near Kato Drys

Kato Drys, Cyprus. A 45-year-old man from Sri Lanka was struck by lightning outside the chapel of Timios Prodromos near Kato Drys on Saturday afternoon and was taken to Larnaca General Hospital.

The man lost consciousness after the incident and was later reported by doctors to be in good condition.

Hospital assessment

The State Health Services Organisation (OKYPY) confirmed the incident. Spokesman Charalambos Charilaou said the man was taken to the accident and emergency department at Larnaca General Hospital.

He said the patient was being assessed by doctors and undergoing tests, adding that his condition was good, according to the treating doctors.

Police account

Larnaca Police were informed of the incident. Assistant police director Giorgos Foukaris told CNA that lightning struck a point near the vehicle, causing the 45-year-old to sustain minor burns to his shoulder.

Three people at the site

Kato Drys community leader Nikos Vasileiou told philenews that three people had just left a vehicle to visit the chapel, which is located outside the community.

The vehicle was carrying an elderly Greek Cypriot man and two employees, a man and a woman. Vasileiou said the lightning struck the man and that he and his son helped him into a car before taking him to the village, where an ambulance transported him to hospital.

Vasileiou said the woman was also lightly struck by lightning and urged the public to remain indoors until the bad weather passes, citing severe weather conditions in the area.