Hodeidah– Two civilians were killed and four others injured when a lightning strike hit a rural area in Yemen’s western Hodeidah province, local health authorities confirmed on Saturday.

The incident occurred during a severe thunderstorm that swept through the Bajel district, where residents were caught off guard by the sudden electrical discharge. 

Among the victims were two children who died instantly when lightning struck their home, while four others sustained varying degrees of injuries and were transported to a nearby medical facility for treatment.

Eyewitnesses described the scene as “terrifying,” with heavy rains and thunder shaking the area moments before the strike. “It was like the sky exploded,” said one local resident, who helped evacuate the injured.

The Yemen National Center of Meteorology had previously issued warnings of intense thunderstorms across several provinces, urging residents to remain indoors and avoid using electronic devices during rainfall. 

However, limited access to early warning systems and poor infrastructure in rural areas continue to leave communities vulnerable.

This tragedy adds to a growing number of lightning-related casualties in Yemen, where extreme weather events have intensified in recent months. According to humanitarian agencies, dozens of deaths have been reported nationwide due to lightning strikes, particularly in highland and coastal regions.

Local authorities have called for increased public awareness and international support to improve disaster preparedness and protect vulnerable populations from climate-related hazards.