The incident occurred in a mountainous area near Świeradów-Zdrój during a storm. Lightning struck next to a large group consisting of several dozen people. Children were among them.

A rescue operation is currently underway, involving rescuers from the Karkonosze GOPR Group.

The Jelenia Góra Emergency Medical Service also confirmed its participation in the operation: “At present, our Emergency Medical Teams are providing assistance at a mass-casualty incident in Świeradów-Zdrój. Approximately 10–13 people who were injured after a lightning strike in the mountainous area most likely require assistance. More information soon; the rescue operation is ongoing,” the rescuers wrote on their social media profile.

Update 15:05

“Lightning struck near a group of 24 people at the Łącznik Pass in the Jizera Mountains. Everyone was evacuated to Świeradów-Zdrój. Three people were transported to hospital. They were different, unrelated people, but children were among them,” said Adam Tkocz, head of the Karkonosze GOPR group, in an interview with Interia.

Update 15:10

Rescuers from the following units are working at the scene:

  • D0222 Świeradów-Zdrój
  • D0218 Gryfów Śląski
  • D0220 Leśna
  • D0214 Szklarska Poręba
  • D0211 Lubań Śląski
  • D0264 Lwówek Śląski

Update 17:30

As we read on the Facebook profile of the Jelenia Góra Emergency Medical Service:

Ultimately, 24 patients required assistance in this incident. 13 people were taken to the nearest hospitals (6 adults and 7 minors):

  • Four people were taken to the Regional Hospital Centre of the Jelenia Góra Valley
  • Four to the Multispecialist Hospital – SPZOZ in Zgorzelec
  • Three to St Luke’s Hospital in Bolesławiec
  • Two to the Łużyckie Medical Centre NZOZ in Lubań

Emergency Medical Teams worked at the scene:

  • #D0222 Świeradów-Zdrój (as the Medical Operations Commander)
  • #D0218 Gryfów Śląski
  • #D0220 Leśna
  • #D0211 Lubań Śląski
  • #D0264 Lwówek Śląski

We thank GOPR Karkonosze for their help and hard work in the mountains, and the Legnica Emergency Medical Service for logistical support from the Medical Dispatch Centre. The quiet heroes also include the staff of the Czeszka i Słowaczka Shelter, who provided support and shelter to both the injured and the medics throughout the rescue operation. Thank you!

Łącznik (German: Hernsdorfer Kamm) is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1,066 metres above sea level, located in the Polish part of the Jizera Mountains, between Stóg Izerski and Smrek. Droga Zofii and Droga Telefoniczna cross the pass. The depression forms a watershed between the drainage basins of the Baltic Sea and the North Sea (the Izera’s sources lie to the south, and those of the Czarny Potok to the north). The pass features a junction of hiking trails, information boards, a resting area with benches, and a boulder engraved with the inscription Sophienweg (Wikipedia).