MaltaMedia.com

A 39-year-old man from Marsascala died after he was struck by lightning in a field in Marsascala at around 17:00hrs CEST on Monday.

The police confirmed the man was in a field accompanied by a 25-year-old man from Zabbar. As soon as the incident happened, the 25-year-old rushed out to the road shouting for help, the victim was then rushed to Saint James Hospital, Zabbar, but was pronounced dead on arrival.

As Malta was hit by acute thunder storms various incidents were reported, amongst which a 34-year-old woman, from Zejtun, fell a height of one storey after she was dragged by the water when she got out of her car, in Sta Venera. The woman was then rescued and is being treated in hospital, her condition was described as serious.

The storm also caused huge traffic jams, and various warnings have been issued by the police and the Civil Protection Department to avoid low lying areas an preferably stay indoors unless strictly necessary.

The Met Office said a low pressure system remained stationary over the Central Mediterranean. The Met office also said the situation is expected to persist into Monday evening.

Meanwhile the Prime Minister, who is also minister of Home Affairs, has thanked the Civil Protection Department, the department’s volunteers, the police and NGOs for their service on Sunday and Monday. Dr Gonzi said their actions during the storm had avoided incidents which would have had serious consequences on people’s lives and property.

The heavy downpour that hit Malta on Sunday evening and early on Monday morning has created huge traffic jam and various damages including uprooted trees, billboards toppled over and flooding of low lying streets.

The Police have advised motorists to avoid low lying areas and pay attention while driving as many roads are flooded and contain a lot of debris. Areas which are known to be flooded are Birkirkara bypass and Valley Road, Iklin, Msida and Pieta.

The Civil Protection Department has also warned that the storms are expected to persist until noon on Monday.