A 30-year-old fisherman was killed and his companion seriously injured after lightning struck their boat during heavy rain along the coast of Barangay Baluarte, Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental on Saturday evening.

The Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Department (MDRRMD) identified the fatality as Noel Balaba and the injured companion as Gerry Jadap, both residents of Sitio Nabolud, Barangay Baluarte.

Barangay Chairman Roman Pagara reported that the two men had gone out to fish in Macajalar Bay despite the stormy weather. As they were departing the coast, lightning struck their banca, throwing Balaba into the sea in full view of coastal residents.

Locals immediately responded, rescuing Jadap and rushing him to a nearby hospital. After a 30-minute search, responders recovered Balaba's lifeless body from the water.

This is the second deadly lightning incident in Misamis Oriental in just over a month.

In late May, a farmer and a 14-year-old minor were killed when lightning struck their home in Sitio Santiago, Barangay Mabunag, Claveria. The victims, identified as Santiago Manuay and his younger relative, were reportedly drinking coffee during a thunderstorm when lightning passed through an opening in the roof and struck their spoons.

The impact hurled both victims from their seats. Despite efforts to bring them to the nearest hospital—located two hours away—they were declared dead on arrival due to severe burns.

Authorities continue to remind the public to remain indoors and avoid open areas during thunderstorms, especially in high-risk locations like coastal and upland areas.