Lightning kills 6 in Negros

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — Six persons, five of them children, died after they were struck by lightning in Sitio Baras-Barasan, Barangay Manlocahoc, Sipalay, Negros Occidental yesterday.

Chief Inspector Nasser Canja, Sipalay City police officer-in-charge, identified the fatalities as Charlene, 12; Mae Ann, 9; Ardemiel, 10, and Rose, 5, all surnamed Seminion; Mariel Montecino, 12, and Mary Tejoc, 35.

The fatalities were helping their parents cut sugarcane when they took shelter near a truck amid heavy rains.

Canja said 17 other farm workers suffered burns and were brought to various hospitals for treatment.

He said the city government extended assistance to the families of the victims.