Lightning Strikes Two Hikers in the French Pyrenees
A group of 15 hikers found themselves at 2,700 meters above sea level when a sudden storm hit the area, and two young men were hospitalized.
A group of 15 hikers found themselves at 2,700 meters above sea level when a sudden storm hit the area, and two young men were hospitalized.
Two hikers, aged 14 and 21, were hospitalized after being struck by lightning on Monday, August 3, 2026, on the renowned GR10 hiking trail in the French Pyrenees. The accident occurred in the Hautes-Pyrénées department, at altitudes above the town of Cauterets, as confirmed to Le Figaro on Tuesday.
The young men were part of a larger group of 15 people located at approximately 2,700 meters above sea level, near the Hourquette d'Ossoue pass. According to Jean-Michel Rodé, major of the high mountain gendarmerie platoon (PGHM) from Pierrefitte-Nestalas, the group "took the full brunt" of the storm that broke out on the mountain range around 3:30 PM. The group had no guide.
The minor, who sustained a blow to the head, was first transported to the hospital in Tarbes and then transferred to the hospital in Pau, in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department. The other hiker, a 21-year-old, was also hospitalized in Tarbes. The gendarmes managed to use a brief favorable weather window to deploy a helicopter for the rescue operation between the mountain refuges of Oulettes de Gaube and Bayssellance.
This incident is not isolated. A study published in 2022 in the journal La Météorologie, authored by Stéphane Schmitt and Michaël Kreitz, analyzed lightning strikes in Europe over a ten-year period. They recorded 215 cases, 56 of which occurred in France. The data shows that nearly three out of five victims were engaged in some leisure activity at the time of the accident. The authors note that most accidents occur "mainly between May and August" and that, contrary to popular belief, they "do not particularly affect hikers and golfers, as is sometimes mentioned."
The organization Compagnie des Pyrénées, which brings together eight ski areas in the region, warns that a storm during a hike is "a violent phenomenon that can turn a trail into dangerous terrain." The organization advises several key steps for safety. Before setting out, it is essential to "consult the mountain weather forecast" and during the outing to "observe the sky regularly." If a storm approaches, it is necessary to "adjust the route," avoiding ridges and choosing forest trails or valleys.
If shelter is not available, it is recommended to adopt a safety position: crouch down with feet together to "limit contact with the ground," with arms around knees and head bowed. If possible, one should "insulate oneself from the ground" using a "dry backpack, rope, or sleeping mat." Additionally, running or walking quickly is strongly discouraged because, as they state, "the more you move, the more you tire yourself and increase the risk of an accident."
