A devastating lightning strike in Sepang, Malaysia, has claimed the lives of three family members after they reportedly sought shelter beneath a tree during heavy rain, highlighting the deadly risks of remaining outdoors when thunderstorms develop.
The victims were identified as brothers Mohd Sahrif Marusin, 26, and Mohamad Ahzam Marusin, 16, along with their cousin, Mohammad Safwan Aksan, 18. The incident happened on Monday, November 9, in Bandar Baru Salak Tinggi, Sepang, according to Malaysian police and reports from Bernama and other local news organisations. AsiaOne+2
Sepang district police chief Assistant Commissioner Norhizam Bahaman confirmed that the three men died after being struck by lightning while sheltering beneath a tree. They had reportedly stopped in the area after repairing a vehicle nearby.
Police received a report at approximately 3.34pm. The victims were found unconscious beneath the tree, and medical personnel from Hospital Putrajaya confirmed their deaths. Their bodies were subsequently taken to Sultan Idris Shah Hospital in Serdang for post-mortem examinations. AsiaOne+1
The tragedy has drawn widespread attention after videos showing the aftermath circulated on social media. The footage showed the victims lying near the roadside, with members of the public gathering at the scene before police officers cordoned off the area.
However, the most heartbreaking details emerged from the victims’ family.
Three Relatives Who Were Almost Always Together
A family member, Haris Salleh Kurais, 42, told Bernama that the three victims shared a particularly close relationship and frequently spent time together.
He recalled that wherever one of them went, the other two would often follow. They also enjoyed spending time together while working on motorcycles and pursuing their hobbies.
Haris said he received news of the tragedy at around 4.30pm and was shocked by what had happened. He remembered seeing the three young men just two days earlier during a family outing to the beach.
The victims were siblings Mohamad Ahzam and Mohd Sahrif, while Mohammad Safwan was their cousin. Their remains were expected to be returned to their hometown in Semporna, Sabah, following the post-mortem examinations. BERNAMA
The loss of three relatives in a single weather-related incident has left their family facing an especially painful tragedy.
Why Taking Shelter Under a Tree Can Be Deadly During a Thunderstorm
The Sepang incident is a stark reminder that trees are not safe shelters during thunderstorms.
People caught outdoors may instinctively move beneath a large tree to avoid getting wet. However, an isolated or tall tree can become a dangerous location when lightning strikes.
According to Malaysia’s Meteorological Department, lightning can occur within storm clouds, between clouds or between clouds and the ground. Electrical current can also travel through tree trunks and spread across the ground, potentially injuring people standing nearby.
Lightning may strike outside the area experiencing the heaviest rainfall, meaning people should not assume they are safe simply because the rain has not reached them.
MetMalaysia warns that thunderstorms can occur throughout the year in Malaysia, although they are more frequent during the inter-monsoon periods of April to May and October to November. Weather Phenomena+1
The department also explains that thunderstorms can develop rapidly, making it dangerous to wait until rainfall becomes intense before seeking proper shelter.
MetMalaysia’s Lightning Safety Advice Everyone Should Know
Following lightning-related fatalities in Malaysia and neighbouring Singapore, safety advice from meteorological authorities has become particularly important.
MetMalaysia recommends the following precautions when thunderstorms approach:
- Seek proper shelter immediately: Move inside a substantial enclosed building or an enclosed vehicle with its windows closed.
- Stay away from trees: Do not shelter beneath isolated or tall trees, especially in open areas.
- Avoid open spaces: Football fields, golf courses, hilltops and exposed areas can leave people vulnerable.
- Leave the water: Get out of swimming pools, rivers, lakes and the sea as soon as possible.
- Keep away from metal objects: Avoid fences, poles, cables and other structures that may conduct electricity.
- Stop outdoor activities: Suspend sports, hiking, outdoor work and other exposed activities when thunder is heard or a storm approaches.
MetMalaysia stresses that an enclosed vehicle offers protection because its metal body can channel electrical current around the passenger compartment. The protection does not come from the rubber tyres, as commonly believed. Weather Phenomena+1
The department also advises the public to monitor official forecasts through its website and the myCuaca mobile application.
Lightning Can Strike Even When It Is Not Raining Heavily
One dangerous misconception is that lightning becomes a serious threat only when heavy rain begins.
MetMalaysia has warned that lightning can strike during light drizzle and can occur as far as approximately 16 kilometres from the centre of a thunderstorm.
This means people may already be within a dangerous area even when rainfall appears relatively light.
In an interview with Malay Mail, MetMalaysia director-general Mohd Hisham Mohd Anip stressed that people should immediately seek shelter once thunder is heard or thick cumulonimbus clouds begin forming.
The department also explained that thunderstorms can develop within one to two hours and affect relatively small areas, making early preparation and attention to weather warnings essential. Malay Mail
More Severe Weather Warnings Raise Concerns Across the Region
The Sepang tragedy occurred during a period when thunderstorms and heavy rain were affecting parts of Malaysia.
On November 10, MetMalaysia issued a thunderstorm warning covering several states, including parts of Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Johor, Sabah and Sarawak. The warning included areas of heavy rain and strong winds, with the department explaining that its short-term thunderstorm alerts are issued when rainfall intensity exceeds 20 millimetres per hour. The Star+1
Malaysia’s National Disaster Management Agency had also warned in October that the monsoon transition could bring thunderstorms, heavy rainfall, flash floods, fallen trees and damaging winds. Portal NADMA
The dangers are not limited to Malaysia. Singapore has also experienced intense rainfall and flash-flood alerts during the current inter-monsoon period.
WWC ONE MEDIA previously reported on Flash Floods Hit Woodlands and Lim Chu Kang as Heavy Rain Sweeps Singapore, as well as Heavy Rain Sweeps Singapore as Flash Flood Alerts Are Issued in Jurong West.
The publication also examined Singapore’s flood-prevention infrastructure in Singapore Completes S$60 Million Bukit Timah Canal Upgrade to Fight Flash Floods.
Although these reports concern flooding rather than lightning fatalities, they illustrate how quickly severe weather can disrupt communities across the region.
A Tragedy That Serves as a Serious Warning
The deaths of Mohd Sahrif, Mohamad Ahzam and Mohammad Safwan are a painful reminder that a seemingly ordinary decision to shelter from the rain can have devastating consequences.
Their reported decision to stand beneath a tree came after they had been repairing a vehicle nearby. What followed was a lightning incident that claimed three lives and left a family grieving the loss of relatives who shared a close bond.
As thunderstorms continue to develop across Malaysia and neighbouring countries, authorities are urging the public to take weather warnings seriously and avoid exposed locations.
The safest response is not to wait until the rain becomes heavy. Once thunder is heard, people should stop outdoor activities and move into a substantial enclosed building or vehicle.
