Story By: Maja Mishevksa, Sub Editor: Marija Stojkoska, Agency: Newsflash

This 11-year-old boy has tragically died after he was hit by lightning as he was playing in an electrical storm with his friends.

The incident occurred as Juan Sebastian Brito Vega was playing in the streets of the municipality of San Juan del Cesar, in the northeastern Colombian department of La Guajira during a rainstorm.

Witnesses told local media that a lightning bolt hit the youngster as he was playing, leaving him motionless on the ground.

Local residents heard the crash of the lightning and rushed to the scene, with the youngster being taken to hospital but pronounced dead on arrival.

Witnesses said it was not common for electrical storms to occur in the area. The tragedy took place during Colombia’s coronavirus lockdown and it is unclear why Vega was breaking the curfew currently being imposed.

The local authorities are investigating the case and no other injuries have been reported.

The death of the young boy, who was a keen football fan, has shocked the local community but neighbours will not be allowed to attend his funeral because of the coronavirus lockdown.

Reports state Colombia has seen an unusual number of electrical storms during the rainy season with strong winds also recorded.

The authorities have warned locals about the dangers of playing during the storms.

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