Severe Thunderstorms Strike Sydney, Four Hospitalized After Lightning Incident

Overview

• Four individuals, including a couple in their 30s and a teenage boy, were hospitalized after being struck by lightning near Sydney's Opera House during severe thunderstorms.
• The victims, who were sheltering under a tree at the time, suffered burns and cardiac symptoms, with all experiencing a brief loss of consciousness.
• Over 75,000 lightning strikes were detected within a 100km radius of Sydney, causing widespread disruptions including power outages affecting more than 10,000 households and businesses.
• Sydney's main airport runway was temporarily closed after a lightning strike damaged the tarmac, leading to over 30 flight cancellations and delays to around 340 services.
• Authorities have issued severe weather warnings for New South Wales, southern Queensland, and Victoria, advising the public to avoid floodwaters and heed emergency services' advice.