Overview
- A single bolt hit a seven-member group at the Panthallur hill viewpoint near Mankada in Malappuram district.
- Hospital staff confirmed four were declared dead on arrival and three survivors remained stable at Government Medical College Hospital, Manjeri.
- The Hindu identified the deceased as Rahees, 20, Rahad, 19, Ziyad, 18, and Wahas, 18, all from Vellila near Mankada.
- Witnesses said the weather turned quickly with rain, thunder and lightning as many visitors started leaving the exposed hilltop.
- Outgoing Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan offered condolences, called for compensation from the Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund, and urged people to follow lightning safety guidance.