Malappuram: Four students were killed and three others injured after a lightning strike hit a group of youngsters at a hilltop viewpoint in Kerala’s Malappuram district on Tuesday evening.

According to Malayalam media reports, the incident occurred around 5.30 pm at a viewpoint on Pantalloor hill near Mankada in Malappuram district, where a seven-member group had reportedly gathered amid sudden rain and thunderstorms. The victims were sitting on rocky terrain at the scenic location when lightning struck the area.

The deceased were identified as Rahees (20), Fahad (19), Siyad (18) and Bahas/Wahas (18), all residents of the nearby Vellila area. They were reportedly students.

Three others in the group sustained burn injuries and were shifted to Manjeri Medical College Hospital for treatment. Reports said at least some of the injured were admitted to the intensive care unit, though their condition was later stated to be stable.

According to local reports, residents living near the hill first noticed the incident and rushed to the spot before alerting emergency services. Rescue efforts were hampered by the difficult terrain and the fact that the incident occurred on top of the hill during heavy rain. One of the victims was reportedly thrown off the rock surface due to the impact of the lightning strike.

Malayalam television channels and local media described the tragedy as one of the deadliest lightning incidents reported in the district in recent times. Visuals aired by regional news outlets showed heavy rain and panic in the area following the strike.

The incident came amid widespread pre-monsoon rain activity across Kerala. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had already warned of thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds across several districts, including Malappuram.

Following the tragedy, Kerala State Disaster Management Authority advisories on lightning safety were widely circulated by local media. Authorities urged people to avoid open spaces, hilltops and isolated rocky areas during thunderstorms, warning that lightning can strike even before heavy rain begins.