Two tourists injured in lightning strike on Keelung Islet

Taipei, May 18 (CNA) Two tourists were injured Sunday while visiting the lighthouse on Keelung Islet, after heavy rain and lightning struck the small island off the northern Taiwan port city of Keelung, according to local authorities.

A man in his 40s surnamed Chang (張) sustained a burn on his left hand and dislocated his right shoulder after taking a fall, while a woman in her 60s surnamed Wen (文) was also injured after being startled by the lightning, the Keelung City Fire Department said.

Chang and Wen were part of a group tour that included a lighthouse visit and an island circuit, accompanied by family and friends, when they encountered a sudden downpour and lightning.

A local media report cited other tourists near the lighthouse at the time as saying that at round 2 p.m., they witnessed a powerful lightning bolt.

Although the lightning did not appear to hit anyone directly, several members of the group suddenly felt numbness in their hands and feet, and some fell to the ground, they said.

During the incident, Chang experienced a burning sensation in his left hand and dislocated his right shoulder in a fall, while Wen injured her right elbow after taking a fall herself, the reports said.

Following the incident, the group's tour guide confirmed that both injured individuals were conscious and able to walk unaided.

After a brief rest, the two injured tourists were transported back to the Bisha Port Inspection Office aboard a recreational fishing boat and were later taken to a hospital by ambulance.

Tsai Fu-ning (蔡馥嚀), director of the Keelung City Department of Economic Affairs, visited the injured individuals at the inspection center shortly after the incident.

She noted that no lightning-related accidents had ever occurred on Keelung Islet before.

In the future, if the Central Weather Administration issues real-time thunderstorm alerts for Keelung, the city government will notify boat operators to suspend lighthouse tours as needed, as strong convective activity is often accompanied by lightning, thunder, and heavy rain, Tsai said.