The man and the child struck by lightning in the Balkan Mountains died, a helicopter joined the rescue operation

Rescuers reached those struck by lightning in the Central Balkan Mountains on July 22. A military helicopter from the 24th Air Base Krumovo also took part in the rescue operation.

Man and child struck by lightning in the Balkan Mountains

A 47-year-old man and his 10-year-old daughter from Sofia died after being struck by lightning in the area of Kupena peak in the Central Balkan Mountains. The victims were at an altitude of 2000 metres.

A report of the incident was received at the Mountain Rescue Service at around 1.35pm by the man's other child, who was with them. The surving boy was transported by military helicopter to hospital. The bodies of the man and the child will also be transported by the military helicopter. Rescuers from Troyan and Karlovo are on the scene.

The man was an experienced mountaineer. The Mountain Rescue Service in Troyan said the weather was unsuitable for hiking. There was also thunder and rain in Karlovo and Sopot. The weather deteriorated very quickly.