Lightning Threaten in Malaysia

Lightning Threaten in Malaysia

Almost every organ system may be affected as lightning current passes through the human body taking the shortest pathways between the contact points.

A 10 years retrospective study (1996-2005) was conducted from the autopsy reports at Forensic Pathology Units. There were 27 fatal cases of lightning strike with male preponderance (92.59%) and male to female ratio of 12.5:1. Majority of victims of lightning strike were from the age group between 30 and 39 years old. Most of the victims were foreign workers. Indonesian’s workers contributed to 59.26% of overall cases. Majority of them were construction workers who attributed i.e.11 of 27 cases (40.74%).  Most of the victims were brought in dead (37.04%). In majority of the cases the lightning incidence occurred in the evenings, with the frequency of 15 of 27 cases (62.5%).

Lightning strike incidence occurred when victims had taken shelter (25.9%) under trees or shades. Lightning strike in open areas occurred in 10 of 27 cases (37.0%). Head and neck were the most commonly affected sites with the incidence of 77.78% and 74% respectively in all the victims. Only 29.63% of the cases presented with ear bleeding.

 
Report from: University Hospital Kuala Lumpur
Hospital Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Klang