Lightning strike kills two, injures 150 at South African festival

4 Jan 2026 • 7:53 PM MYT
The Sun Daily
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A lightning strike at a traditional festival north of Pretoria has killed two people and injured 150 others, with 13 in critical condition.

JOHANNESBURG: A lightning strike killed two people and injured 150 others at a festival north of South Africa’s capital Pretoria.

The incident occurred on Saturday night near the village of Mathibestad, about 70 kilometres from Pretoria.

The North West health department said 150 patients sought treatment at a local clinic after being struck.

It confirmed two fatalities, with 13 people in critical condition transferred to another health facility.

The annual traditional celebration was hit during a storm.

Storms are frequent in this region during the southern hemisphere’s summer season.