Berlin, July 22: A man died after being struck by lightning near the summit of Germany’s highest mountain, police said Monday. The 18-year-old German resident was one of three young men who took the mountain railway up the Zugspitze late Sunday afternoon and then continued to the summit, a climb of about 80 meters (260 feet) from a terrace used by many visitors.

Lightning struck repeatedly as the men descended from the summit, and the 18-year-old suffered a fatal electric shock, police said. Recovery efforts were hampered by the ongoing storm. The Zugspitze is 2,962 metres (9,718 ft) above sea level in the Alps on the border of Germany and Austria. Knife attack in Germany: 2 students stab teacher with knife in Wedel, attackers flee.

Storms hit several parts of Germany on Sunday. In Delmenhorst, in the north of the country, a family of eight had sought shelter under a tree in a park when lightning struck. All eight were injured, and a five-year-old boy and a 14-year-old girl were taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries. (AP)