A female tourist died after being struck by lightning while walking on the beach in Brazil

A female tourist was struck by lightning while walking with her husband on the beach in Brazil and died after a day in the hospital.

The incident took place on the evening of August 28, at Praia da Pinheira beach, Palhoça city, Santa Catarina state. The victim is Endinara Gonçalves Arezze, 39 years old, a female tourist from the city of Caxias do Sul, Brazil.

According to images from surveillance cameras in the area, Arezze had an accident while walking with her husband on the beach. While stopping to rest, a bolt of lightning suddenly struck Arezze's position, causing her to collapse on the spot. The accompanying husband immediately tried to lift her up and perform first aid.

Local rescue forces arrived at the scene after receiving the news. At this time, the victim was unconscious, had cardiac arrest, stopped breathing, and had burns where the electric current entered and exited the body. Paramedics continued cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and took Arezze to Praia do Sonho Emergency Facility. During the transfer, the defibrillator was used three times to stimulate the heartbeat.

At the medical facility, doctors restored the patient's heart rate and vital signs. Arezze was then intubated and urgently transferred to Hospital Regional de São José in critical condition. Due to severe injuries after the circulatory accident, the victim died on the morning of August 29. Arezze's funeral was held in Caxias do Sul at a later date.

The incident area was affected by rapidly changing weather patterns, accompanied by rain, strong winds and severe thunderstorms at the end of the day.

Local officials warn residents and tourists about the risk of lightning strikes in open areas such as beaches, especially during weather fluctuations at the end of the day.