Young fisherman dies in lightning strike

Pailan’s father, Janla, who was with him was lucky to be unscathed during the incident that occurred around 3 p.m. Wednesday. (Photo by Martin Brigden, Flickr/CC BY 2.0)

ZAMBOANGA CITY — A young fisherman died while his father was unscathed in a lightning strike offshore this city, the police reported Friday.

The Zamboanga City Police Office (ZCPO) identified the fatality as Jakter Pailan, 15, of Barangay Taluksangay, this city.

Pailan’s father, Janla, who was with him was lucky to be unscathed during the incident that occurred around 3 p.m. Wednesday.

Janla told the police that they were fishing in the waters off Taluksangay amid the inclement weather condition when lightning struck killing instantly his son.

Janla’s son was buried in accordance with Muslim rites.

Zamboanga City has been experiencing inclement weather condition since Sunday brought about by the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) and entry of Typhoon Paolo into the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).