24-year-old Dies After Lightning Strike During Paddleboarding Trip Off Pasir Ris Beach

A 24-year-old man has died after being struck by lightning while paddleboarding off Pasir Ris Beach on Sunday (July 5), in what appears to be a freak accident that has shocked many.

Police said they were alerted to the incident at around 4.50pm near 131 Pasir Ris Road.

The man was among a group of eight people, aged between 13 and 54, who had been kayaking and paddleboarding when lightning struck the water.

He was taken unconscious to Sengkang General Hospital, where he later died.

The other seven members of the group were conveyed conscious to hospital, with five taken to Sengkang General Hospital and two children taken to KK Women's and Children's Hospital.

An eyewitness told local media the group was about 100 metres from shore when lightning suddenly struck the water. He said the sky had appeared clear at the time, making the incident all the more unexpected.

He and another kayaker paddled out to bring the unconscious man back to land, while the rest of the group made their way ashore.

Police said they do not suspect foul play, and investigations are ongoing.

While Singapore experiences an average of 176 lightning days each year, fatal lightning strikes remain uncommon.

Sunday's tragedy is the second reported lightning-related death in Singapore within two months, following the death of a fish farm worker who was struck while working off Lim Chu Kang in May.

The two incidents underscore the unpredictable nature of lightning, particularly during outdoor recreational and offshore activities.