The US capital’s park, Lafayette Square was apparently struck by lightning on Thursday, sending four people to the hospital.
According to the Washington Post, the incident happened shortly before 7 p.m., just a few hundred feet from the White House.
Vito Maggiolo, a fire department official, confirmed that two men and two women were discovered in the park shortly after with possibly life-threatening injuries.
Footage circulating on social media shows a strong emergency services presence along the main road that connects the White House to the park.
Breaking: @dcfireems says 4 patients in critical condition after lighting strike in Lafayette Park across from White House @nbcwashington pic.twitter.com/hql5GPtjst
— Jackie Bensen (@jackiebensen) August 4, 2022
The District of Columbia Fire and EMS Department stated in a tweet that they were treating and transferring four patients, all of whom were in critical condition and had life-threatening injuries.
Apparent lightning strike Lafayette Park NW. #DCsBravest on scene in the process of treating and transporting 4 patients, all in critical condition. pic.twitter.com/1jyCh44Q2n
— DC Fire and EMS (@dcfireems) August 4, 2022
