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Lightning Injures Several People in France and Germany Lightning Injures Several People in France and Germany
(about 1 hour later)
PARIS — Eight children and three adults were injured on Saturday in a Paris park after a sudden spring storm sent a lightning bolt crashing down on a children’s birthday party, a spokesman for Paris’ fire service said. An off-duty firefighter was credited with playing a critical role in getting medical help to the victims, the spokesman said, but he added that some victims were still fighting for their lives.PARIS — Eight children and three adults were injured on Saturday in a Paris park after a sudden spring storm sent a lightning bolt crashing down on a children’s birthday party, a spokesman for Paris’ fire service said. An off-duty firefighter was credited with playing a critical role in getting medical help to the victims, the spokesman said, but he added that some victims were still fighting for their lives.
Another group of people at a children’s soccer match in western Germany were also hit by lightning on Saturday afternoon, leaving three adults seriously injured.Another group of people at a children’s soccer match in western Germany were also hit by lightning on Saturday afternoon, leaving three adults seriously injured.
In Paris, the birthday party guests had sought shelter under a tree at Parc Monceau, a park popular with affluent families, when a lightning bolt touched down, said the fire service spokesman, Eric Moulin. He said Cmdr. Pascal Gremillet, an off-duty firefighter, was visiting a museum nearby when he noticed the commotion and discovered nine of the 11 victims lying unconscious on the ground under the tree.In Paris, the birthday party guests had sought shelter under a tree at Parc Monceau, a park popular with affluent families, when a lightning bolt touched down, said the fire service spokesman, Eric Moulin. He said Cmdr. Pascal Gremillet, an off-duty firefighter, was visiting a museum nearby when he noticed the commotion and discovered nine of the 11 victims lying unconscious on the ground under the tree.
“He saw who was the most seriously injured,” Mr. Moulin said. “He did a quick triage of the victims. He did first aid. He alerted the rescue services. Without his actions, it would have been much worse."“He saw who was the most seriously injured,” Mr. Moulin said. “He did a quick triage of the victims. He did first aid. He alerted the rescue services. Without his actions, it would have been much worse."
Mr. Moulin said six of those struck were seriously injured. He added that five others were slightly injured, including four children.Mr. Moulin said six of those struck were seriously injured. He added that five others were slightly injured, including four children.
Mr. Moulin estimated the children were about 9 years old.Mr. Moulin estimated the children were about 9 years old.
“This accident is extremely rare in the Paris region,” Pierre Carli, an emergency medical services official, told reporters at a news conference.“This accident is extremely rare in the Paris region,” Pierre Carli, an emergency medical services official, told reporters at a news conference.
Storms also had violent consequences elsewhere in Europe.Storms also had violent consequences elsewhere in Europe.
Police in Germany said 35 people were taken to the hospital after lightning struck a children’s soccer match on Saturday afternoon in western Germany. Three adults were seriously injured in the strike in Hoppstädten, about 75 miles southwest of Frankfurt. The police in Germany said 35 people were taken to the hospital after lightning struck a children’s soccer match on Saturday afternoon in western Germany. Three adults were seriously injured in the strike in Hoppstädten, about 75 miles southwest of Frankfurt.
Thirty-two other people, including 30 children ranging from 9 to 11 years old, were taken to the hospital as a precaution, the German news agency DPA reported.Thirty-two other people, including 30 children ranging from 9 to 11 years old, were taken to the hospital as a precaution, the German news agency DPA reported.
The game had just ended when lightning struck about 2 p.m., a police spokesman, Dominik Lentz, told the German news channel n-tv.The game had just ended when lightning struck about 2 p.m., a police spokesman, Dominik Lentz, told the German news channel n-tv.
“According to what everyone present says, there were no clouds in the sky,” Mr. Lentz said, “so this incident couldn’t have been expected.”“According to what everyone present says, there were no clouds in the sky,” Mr. Lentz said, “so this incident couldn’t have been expected.”
Some areas in western Germany have seen storms, heavy rain and hail over the past two days.Some areas in western Germany have seen storms, heavy rain and hail over the past two days.