9 hurt as lightning hits plane at NAIA Terminal 2

At least nine people were injured after lightning struck a plane parked at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 Saturday night. The injured were brought to hospitals in Pasay and Makati Cities where doctors had declared them to be in stable condition, radio dzBB reported Sunday. Initial investigation showed the incident occurred at 7 p.m., when the victims sought shelter under the plane during a downpour. But lightning hit the plane, including the workers. Four were brought to the San Juan de Dios Medical Center in Pasay City, and two to the Makati Medical Center. Doctors said the injured suffered mainly from burns. Six of the injured were initially identified as ground equipment operators Gil Alamodin and Panfilo Calilan; and loaders Herman Collantes, Angelito de Leon, Noel Marasigan, and Miguel Quizon. The report said the lightning strike may have also temporarily disabled some X-ray machines. After the incident, the plane was brought to the airport hangar for inspection. — LBG, GMA News