A 62-year-old man died after being struck by lightning while gathering shellfish with his wife and other residents along the shoreline of Barangay Dunggo-an in Danao City, Cebu, on September 21, 2026.
The victim was identified as Edgar Dayon Batucan, a resident of Barangay Guinsay, Danao City.
Police said Batucan and his wife were gathering shellfish at the shoreline of Sitio Mobil at around 4:15 p.m. when rain began to fall and lightning struck the area.
Witnesses saw Batucan collapse after being hit by the lightning. People nearby immediately rushed to help and brought him to a medical facility, but he died from the injuries caused by the powerful electrical discharge.
Police investigator Police Master Sgt. Allan Virtucio said Batucan was some distance away from his wife when the lightning struck, apparently causing only him to be hit.
Investigators also learned that Batucan was wearing a wide-brimmed or “waway” type hat and had tied his motorcycle key around the strap near his neck while gathering shellfish.
According to police, his wife believed the motorcycle key may have played a role in attracting the lightning, although authorities described the incident as an accident. No major external injuries were reportedly found on Batucan’s body, aside from a mark or injury at the center of his chest believed to have been caused by the lightning strike.
The incident serves as another reminder of the danger of remaining outdoors during thunderstorms, particularly in open areas such as shorelines and fields where there is little protection from lightning.
