A video has gone viral of five students being struck by lightning while seeking shelter under a tree at a university in India. The alarming incident left two of the victims hospitalised in critical condition after being struck by lightning on April 10.
The victims are students of the Teerthanker Mahaveer University in Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh. They were caught on surveillance camera huddling together under a tree during a sudden downpour. Other students can be seen walking on the campus, casually passing them.
One moment, everything appears to be fine, but as the CCTV footage continues, a bright flash of lightning illuminates the sky, and a bolt strikes the area where they are standing. In the blink of an eye, the students were thrown to the ground by the force of the strike.
The lightning bolt sent other surrounding students scattering for cover. One of the students under the tree miraculously stands after being hit and also flees the area. When the other victims remained motionless on the wet ground, several students, including the one who had managed to regain consciousness and sprint away, rushed to their aid.
Emergency teams were quickly alerted, and all five students were immediately transported to TMU Hospital for urgent medical evaluation, according to a statement from the university. TMZ reported that the students suffered severe burn injuries. Hospital officials later confirmed that two of the students remain in critical condition and three are recovering steadily.
In the statement posted on Facebook, the university administration praised its rapid response team for acting swiftly to mitigate what could have been an even greater tragedy. “TMU’s Rapid Response saved lives. On April 10, 2025, a sudden lightning strike on campus affected five students at TMU,” the statement read.
“In a moment that could have turned tragic, the university administration acted with remarkable speed and care. Within minutes, medical teams rushed to the spot, and all students received immediate treatment at TMU Hospital. The SDM visited promptly, overseeing the situation and ensuring everything was under control. We’re relieved to share that, with timely medical attention, the students are now safe and recovering well,” the statement continued.
