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Man dies after lightning strike in waters off Pasir Ris Beach

Published July 5, 2026 at 7:31 PM UTC

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A tragic incident occurred on the afternoon of July 5, 2026, at Pasir Ris Beach in Singapore, when a 24-year-old man was fatally struck by lightning while participating in water activities. The man was part of a group of eight individuals, aged between 13 and 54, who were kayaking and paddleboarding in the sea. At approximately 4:50 pm, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) received an emergency call reporting the incident. Upon arrival, SCDF personnel found the man unconscious and immediately transported him to Sengkang General Hospital. Despite efforts to revive him, he was later pronounced dead. The remaining seven individuals were also taken to the hospital; two children were sent to KK Women's and Children's Hospital, while the others were admitted to Sengkang General Hospital. An eyewitness, Muhammad Fairuz, who was fishing nearby, recounted that the group was about 100 meters offshore when the lightning struck. He noted that the skies were clear at the time of the strike. Fairuz and another bystander attempted to rescue the unconscious man by bringing him back to shore. The police have stated that preliminary investigations do not suspect foul play, and investigations are ongoing. The Meteorological Service Singapore had previously forecasted localized short thundery showers over parts of Singapore during the first two weeks of July, particularly in the late morning and afternoon. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of lightning strikes, even in seemingly clear weather conditions. Authorities continue to advise the public to exercise caution during such weather patterns.