Overview
- Strong storms moved over many parts of Germany after recent hot days, prompting safety advisories from media and expert bodies about heightened lightning risk.
- The VDE guidance repeated by outlets says hearing thunder means the storm is within about 10 km, ten seconds between flash and thunder signals acute danger, and the risk ends only after 30 minutes without thunder.
- People should seek a solid building or a closed car for immediate shelter because a car’s metal body channels lightning around occupants, and avoid lone trees, water and metal objects when outdoors.
- Lightning can deliver hundreds of thousands of volts and often affects the heart and nervous system, so first responders say it is safe to touch victims, call 112, check breathing and start CPR with 30 compressions to 2 breaths if needed.
- Although strikes have increased this season compared with 2025, long‑term fatality numbers remain low at roughly four to ten deaths a year, with sportspeople and other outdoor recreationists still most at risk.