Around twenty mourners at a funeral were injured yesterday evening when a bolt of lightning hit the bell tower of a church in the town of Prioro (León). Four were later admitted to León Hospital, and the condition of two of them is described as serious.

55 year old MAH injured his right forearm, broke three bones in his left foot and burns to his right, while a woman identified as ASH, who was actually hit by the bolt, has an entry wound in her upper torso and an exit wound in her left leg.

The other two, MAP (41) and JDS (51) suffered numerous burns, bruises and hearing problems.

Sixteen others, some of whom were hit by falling masonry, were allowed home after receiving first aid in the hospital's A&E department. It is estimated that the total number of mourners at the funeral was around 250.

It seems that the lightning struck the bell tower, then ran down the bell ropes, which are about twenty metres long, and into the congregation below.