A powerful lightning strike hit a crowded traditional festival in northern South Africa, killing two people and injuring around 150 others, triggering panic and a large-scale emergency medical response.
The incident happened late Saturday near the village of Mathibestad, roughly 70 kilometres from Pretoria, where hundreds had gathered for an annual cultural celebration attended by local families.
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Health authorities said 150 injured people rushed to nearby clinics after the strike, while 13 critically wounded victims were later transferred to advanced medical facilities for specialised treatment.
Officials confirmed that two people died from severe lightning-related injuries, as medical teams worked through the night to stabilise patients suffering burns, trauma, and shock from the sudden storm.
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Storm activity remains common across this region during the southern hemisphere summer, prompting authorities to urge communities to take weather warnings seriously during large outdoor gatherings.