Lightning injures several in France and Germany

Lightning strikes have caused serious injuries to several people, many of them children, at a park in Paris and a football match in Germany.

A birthday party in Parc Monceau in Paris was hit by lightning, injuring 11 people, eight of them children. Several are in a life-threatening condition.

They were struck after seeking shelter under a tree, police say.

Lightning also hit a children's football match in Hoppstaedten, leaving several people injured.

Initial reports said 35 people had been injured - however, many were taken to hospital as a precaution.

Both incidents took place on Saturday afternoon.

Paris police said the children injured in Parc Monceau had an average age of nine.

An off-duty firefighter, Pascal Gremillot, happened to be nearby and was able to rapidly administer first aid and heart massages. Officials said the situation would have been much worse if he had not been there.

Six of those injured are in a serious condition...
 BBC
28/5/16