An Asian “camel keeper” died Friday evening after being struck by lightning, in Ghashabah area in Al Ain, while using the phone.
Colonel Mohammed Al Ameri, Head of the Emergency and Public Safety Department at the Abu Dhabi Police stated that the department received a report about a person who was struck by lightning. The ambulance and first responder vehicles were mobilized immediately. The victim was announced dead on site. The lightning also caused the death of 6 camels which were with the deceased.
Al Ameri advised the public to take maximum measures of protection against lightning. He urged them to follow up the weather forecast, and watch the weather to be able to spot any indications of storms; such as the gathering of dark clouds, hearing distant thunder, or seeing lightning in the distance.
He said in case of a thunderstorm, if a person is near the house or the car, they should go inside as fast as possible, or go inside the nearest building. He also urged the public to avoid standing or sitting next to trees or in open spaces. Col. Al Ameri also pointed to the importance of installing lightning rods on top of buildings and vehicles.
Al Ameri stressed the importance of avoiding telephone and power poles while using the phone, and avoid standing on high ground, or near metals. He called upon the farm owners to ensure the workers are following the protection and safety guidelines, and educate them against using mobile phones during thunderstorms to avoid being hit by lightning.
