Fact Check: 12 Victims Hospitalized After Lightning Strike at South Carolina Beach
What We Know
On June 24, 2025, a lightning strike at Lake Murray in Lexington County, South Carolina, injured a total of twenty people, including twelve children. According to local officials, the lightning struck while many were swimming near the buoys in the lake, causing injuries primarily through conduction via a metal cable that surrounded the swimming area (USA Today). Twelve individuals were transported to local hospitals for treatment, while six others were assessed on-site by first responders. Fortunately, all injuries were reported as non-life-threatening, and no fatalities occurred (WBZ News Radio).
Analysis
The claim that "12 victims hospitalized after lightning strike at South Carolina beach" is substantiated by multiple reliable sources. Both USA Today and Fox News confirm that twelve of the injured were children and that they were taken to hospitals for treatment. The reports detail the circumstances surrounding the incident, including the fact that it occurred during a sunny day with nearby clouds, which may have contributed to the unexpected nature of the lightning strike.
The sources used are credible, with USA Today being a well-established news organization known for its thorough reporting. Additionally, the information provided aligns across multiple outlets, including WBZ News Radio and Fox News, which further corroborates the details of the incident.
Conclusion
The claim that twelve victims were hospitalized after a lightning strike at a South Carolina beach is True. The evidence from multiple reputable sources confirms that the incident occurred as described, with twelve children among the injured, all of whom received medical attention for non-life-threatening injuries.
