Do you know the odds of being struck by lightning? Let me tell you, they are incredibly low. According to the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), "The odds of being struck by lightning in a given year are less than one in a million." Furthermore, if you are one of those unlucky souls who gets struck you have a high chance of survival. The CDC also shares that "almost 90% of all lightning strike victims survive." Unfortunately, four women in Colombia beat both of those odds. The four female soccer players were struck by lightning during a game and lost their lives because of it.
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Don't Take Shelter Under A Tree During Lightning Storm
PEOPLE Magazine shares that the unfortunate incident took place "In the village of El Real in the Casa Bajas District of Cajibío, Colombia." While the women were playing an outdoor soccer game, a thunderstorm broke out across the sky. Not wanting to get caught in the middle of the storm, the women decided to take shelter.
The only problem was, they chose to take shelter under a tree. While many people assume that being under a tree is better than being out in an open field, that is actually incorrect. Lightning is more likely to strike taller objects than shorter ones. Unless you are the Hulk, a tree is much taller than you. So you standing or lying in a field is much less likely to be struck than a massive tree.
Additionally, not only is the tree more likely to be struck but it is highly dangerous for you to be under. Not only for fear of falling branches or debris but because of the shock charge. The Insurance Information Institute shares that "Sheltering under a tree is just about the worst thing you can do." They continue, "If lightning does hit the tree, there's a chance that a 'ground charge' will spread out from the tree in all directions." This means that you will also be affected by the lightning.
Finally, they admit that "Being underneath a tree is the second leading cause of lightning casualties." Unfortunately for these soccer players that were killed by lighting, they are now a part of those numbers.
4 Soccer Players Killed By Lightning Shock The Odds
Just like the statistics say, lightning struck the tree that the four women were sheltering under. That lighting strike of the tree resulted in the death of all four women. Additionally, the four soccer players were not the only ones struck and killed by lightning.
Another man was injured by the lightning and later died from the injuries he sustained. Furthermore, two additional women suffered "serious burns" and were taken to the hospital. However, out of all the victims, those with serious burns were the luckiest, as they still have their lives.
The victims who lost their lives have been identified as the following. Jeidy Daneisy Morales, Daniela Yinet Mosquera, Luz Eneida Lame, Etelvina Mosquera, and Jhorman Mosquera. Thoughts and prayers go out to all of their loved ones. May they have support in handling this tragic loss.
