Five people in St. Maarten required immediate medical assistance after being struck by lightning on Wednesday, July 31. The group included cruise passengers, though it hasn’t been revealed who they are or how many of them had come from cruise vessels.
The local police force, Korps Politie Sint Maarten (KPMS), responded to the emergency on the Philipsburg Boardwalk. Authorities transported them to the St. Maarten Medical Center at around 1:15 in the afternoon.
Two of the victims were reportedly on land holding an umbrella, while the others were in the water when lightning struck. According to a report by local publication The Daily Herald, the victims sustained physical trauma. Three of the victims were diagnosed with serious injuries and remained in the healthcare facility, while two had minor injuries that did not necessitate hospitalization.
The cruise passengers are believed to be guests from two vessels that were docked in the area at the time of the incident—Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Vista and Royal Caribbean’s Rhapsody of the Seas.
KPMS asked the public to practice extreme caution during adverse weather, particularly when it is accompanied by lightning. They advised people to stay indoors and avoid open areas to prevent being struck.
How Lightning Affects the Human Body
Lightning bolts are capable of transmitting over 10 million volts, several times higher than high-voltage power lines. Being struck typically burns the shoulders, neck, and head. They can result in immediate death from cardiopulmonary or cardiac arrest.
Those fortunate enough to have a minor encounter with lightning could experience nausea, headache, sore muscles, dizziness, and memory issues, which could resolve on their own after a few days.
Last March, Carnival Freedom’s funnel caught fire after getting struck by lightning. The incident damaged the ship’s funnel and forced the cruise line to cancel two of Freedom’s voyages.
