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BiggerTragedy in Manoguayabo: Lightning kills two children
There have been at least 334 lightning strikes in the last 24 hours.
Manoguayabo— A heartbreaking tragedy struck the community of Manoguayabo on Saturday afternoon, when lightning struck three children who were bathing in the rain on a local playground. The incident left two children dead and one injured, according to residents and local media.
Gregory Peralta, a resident of the area, recounted what he experienced with deep shock:
“I was standing at the window of my house, and I saw that huge bolt of lightning strike. It struck three children, one of whom was already out of sight. One fell dead… and the other died in my hands.”
The incident occurred amid heavy rains and thunderstorms caused by a tropical wave affecting much of the country.
Authorities had issued a green alert for several provinces, including the National District, due to adverse weather conditions.
The community is devastated by the irreparable loss. The identities of the affected children have not yet been revealed. The injured child was rushed to a medical center, where he remains under observation.
During the period 2007–2024, electrocution deaths in the Dominican Republic have shown a general downward trend, going from 254 cases in 2007 to 204 in 2024.
However, the last year registered an increase of 21.43% compared to 2023, suggesting a circumstantial upswing possibly linked to extreme weather events or failures in electrical safety measures, as highlighted in the most recent report on Violent Deaths compiled by the National Statistics Office, ONE.
Victim profile and main causes
50% of deaths in 2024 were concentrated in people aged 20 to 44, with the 30–34 age group (12.75%) and 25–29 age group (10.29%) standing out.
The months with the highest incidence were July, October, and May, while the most dangerous days were Friday and Saturday.
The Ozama Region led in the number of cases (45.10%), followed by Cibao Norte and Higuamo.
Provincial indicators and rates
The national gross rate went from 2.05 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2009 to 1.89 in 2024, showing a slight improvement.
The provinces with the highest rates were Pedernales (5.54), Monseñor Nouel (4.52), and Monte Plata (4.15), while five provinces did not report deaths from this cause.
