Twenty people were injured, including 12 children, after lightning struck the water while they were swimming at Dominion Beach Park, near the Lake Murray dam in South Carolina, local authorities reported.

The incident occurred around 5:00 pm on Tuesday, when a sunny day turned Tragic. According to Lexington County authorities, the lightning struck a metal cable with buoys surrounding the swimming area, affecting those who were in contact with it or swimming nearby.

“Lightning can strike very far from a cloud. It doesn’t seem logical, but today hundreds of us believe it,” the Irmo Fire District said in a press release.

Of the 20 injured eight adults and 12 children 18 were treated at the scene, while 12 people were transported to three nearby hospitals. None had life-threatening injuries, according to Lexington County spokeswoman Vanessa Diaz.

Authorities expect a full recovery for all patients. The park will reopen this Wednesday, following safety inspections and official approval.

The accident coincides with National Lightning Awareness Week, promoted since 2001 by the National Weather Service to raise awareness about the dangers of these often underestimated phenomena. According to the National Lightning Safety Council, four deaths have already been recorded in the US due to this cause so far in 2025.