Three people died and a fourth remains hospitalized in serious condition after being struck by lightning while visiting a park located in front of the White House in Washington early Thursday evening.
Lightning struck near a tree a few meters from the fence surrounding the presidential residence, around 7pm local time. Retirees Donna, 75, and James Mueller, 76, who were from Wisconsin, had their deaths announced Friday morning. Hours later, the death of a 29-year-old man was confirmed, whose identity was preserved so that, according to The Washington Post, the family could be notified.
As of the publication of this text, the fourth person affected, a woman also not yet identified, was still in the hospital. It is unclear whether she has any relationship to the man who died.
Fox 5 weather channel cameras captured the moment when lightning struck near the White House near the time firefighters were called by security agents who were on the scene to help the victims.
“We are saddened by the tragic loss of life,” the White House said in a statement on Friday. “Our hearts go out to the families who have lost loved ones and we are praying for those still fighting for their lives.” The Wisconsin couple, according to the Post, were in Washington on a trip to celebrate their 56th anniversary.
Lafayette Square is a public park that is usually full during the Northern Hemisphere summer. On the day of the accident, temperatures in Washington exceeded 32.2°C, with a wind chill of almost 38°C due to high humidity. Hot and humid conditions are conducive to electrical discharges.
According to the Post, an average of 23 people die each year after being struck by lightning in the US. With the deaths now, the number of victims in 2022 has risen to 12—one more than the previous year’s total.
Scientists say the climate emergency is increasing the likelihood of lightning. More heat can draw more moisture into the atmosphere, while encouraging rapid updraft — two key factors for charged particles.
A study released in 2014 in the journal Science warned that the number of lightning strikes in the US could increase by 50% this century. Every 1°C of warming would translate into a 12% increase.
In addition to the United States, there is evidence that lightning is also shooting in Brazil, which is already the worst-hit country in the world.
Even with the possible increase in episodes, the odds of someone getting hit are low, less than one in a million. Of those who are affected, about 90% survive, according to the CDC.
