A severe thunderstorm swept through the German state of Baden-Württemberg on Friday evening, leaving ten people injured by lightning strikes. The most serious incident occurred in Rastatt, where around 120 teams had gathered for a major handball tournament. The sports ground, doubling as a campsite, became the scene of chaos as the storm intensified around 11 pm.
According to a police spokesperson speaking to SWR, tents were at risk of being torn away by the strong winds. As several individuals rushed to secure their shelters, lightning struck the area, injuring eight adults and a 13-year-old child. One person sustained serious injuries, while the others were treated for minor wounds.
Second Strike in Münsingen-Dottingen
In a separate incident, a lightning strike hit a sports ground in Münsingen-Dottingen, a district on the Swabian Jura. Police reported that the bolt struck near a marquee where a 71-year-old woman was preparing food. She suffered an electric shock and was taken to a hospital for observation.
The storm also caused widespread power outages across Münsingen. Police initially suspected that lightning had hit a substation, but later clarified that the substation itself remained undamaged. The exact point of the strikes was unclear, but the power cut affected the entire city area for approximately 90 minutes, as reported by numerous residents on social media.
These incidents come as Germany experiences a heatwave, with temperatures soaring across the country. The German Weather Service (DWD) has forecast further thunderstorms for Saturday evening, though they are expected to be less severe. For Sunday and Monday, meteorologists predict extreme heat, with the possibility of breaking the June heat record in Baden-Württemberg.
While the immediate focus is on recovery and safety, the events highlight the growing risks of extreme weather in Europe. As climate change intensifies, such storms may become more frequent, posing challenges for outdoor events and infrastructure across the continent. For context, similar weather-related disruptions have been reported elsewhere, such as the train driver killed and 33 injured in a Bedfordshire collision linked to adverse conditions.
Authorities in Baden-Württemberg are urging residents and visitors to stay alert during the ongoing storm warnings. The handball tournament in Rastatt has been suspended pending safety assessments, and local emergency services remain on standby.
