Lightning strikes military academy, injuring 19 cadets during training – World News

The Colombian army said 19 cadets were injured after being struck by “dry lightning” during their training at a military school in Tolemaida

A lightning strike has injured 19 cadets after they were struck by “dry lightning” at a military school in Colombia.

The soldiers were taking part in training exercises at the Colombian army’s military base in the city of Tolemaida, southeast of the capital Bogota, when lightning struck the facilities on Thursday.

There are 16 men and three women being treated for their injuries, authorities said, without specifying the seriousness of their condition.

“On Thursday afternoon, the No. 2 and No. 3 Cadet Battalions participating in campaign tactical drills at the compound of the sector known as Mesa Baja at the Tolemaida military base were struck by a natural electrical discharge,” the Colombian Army said in a statement .

It added that the flash occurred surprisingly with no rain in a so-called dry thunderstorm.

“The incident occurred just after 4 p.m. when a dry lightning bolt struck the place where the cadets were positioned and to clarify that it was not raining at that moment,” the statement continued.

“The natural phenomenon caused 19 injuries […] who were immediately assisted by military medics and then taken to a medical center for care.”

The army has said it will “support the needs of the cadets and their families.”

In a dry thunderstorm, there is thunder and lightning, but the precipitation evaporates before it reaches the ground, and it does not rain. They usually take place in dry conditions.