Lightning struck a camp in Baden-Württemberg amid soaring temperatures across the country, injuring several individuals.
Approximately 120 teams had gathered for a major handball competition in Rastatt, Baden-Württemberg, when a powerful storm caused chaotic scenes at the sports venue, which was also serving as a campsite.
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At around 11 pm, the tents at the location faced the risk of being blown away by strong winds, a police representative told SWR.
While several individuals attempted to secure their tents, lightning struck the vicinity, resulting in injuries to eight adults and one 13-year-old child. Among them, one individual sustained serious injuries, with the others experiencing minor harm.
A separate lightning strike at a sports ground in Münsingen-Dottingen, situated in the Swabian Jura region of Baden-Württemberg, caused injuries to one person.
Police reported the lightning hit close to a marquee where a 71-year-old woman was preparing meals. She received an electric shock and was transported to a hospital for observation.
On Friday evening, large areas of Münsingen experienced power outages. Authorities indicated that two lightning strikes were likely responsible.
However, the exact location of the strikes remained unknown, according to police. The electrical substation itself was unaffected. Earlier reports had suggested a substation was hit by lightning.
Social media users from the town widely reported power failures throughout the city. Police confirmed that electricity was restored roughly 90 minutes later.
The German Weather Service (DWD) indicated that additional thunderstorms could occur again Saturday evening, but they are expected to be less intense than those the day before. For Sunday and Monday, forecasters predict extreme heat, with the possibility of breaking the previous June temperature record in Baden-Württemberg.
Meteorologists also forecast high temperatures in Bavaria, Hesse, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland, and parts of North Rhine-Westphalia, Lower Saxony, Berlin, and Brandenburg.

