Two Belgian hikers, aged 14 and 21, were struck by lightning in the Vignemale massif at the Hourquette d'Ossoue in the Hautes-Pyrénées, France, on Monday, August 3. The two individuals, who did not know each other, were part of a group of approximately fifteen people consisting of two families hiking together.
The group was caught in bad weather around 3:30 PM in Cauterets, France. At the time, the Hautes-Pyrénées department was under a yellow weather alert for thunderstorms.
The youngest hiker was evacuated to a hospital in Pau, France, while the second hiker was taken to a hospital in Tarbes, France. While the two were reported to be in a stable condition, their vital prognosis remained reserved as of Tuesday morning.
Investigation and Rescue Details
The prosecutor's office stated that the group had not committed any 'particular imprudence' during the incident.
Major Rodé, commander of the PGHM (Peloton de Gendarmerie de Haute Montagne) of Pierrefitte-Nestalas, France, said the hikers 'formed a group of circumstance of about fifteen people' when facing the weather. The PGHM reported this as their first lightning strike recorded this year.
