TEN sugarcane workers were hospitalized after they were hit by lightning at Barangay Ma-ao in Bago City, Negros Occidental at about 3 p.m. Tuesday, May 17.

The injured workers were identified as Romy Dequiña, 42; Regie Subong, 21; Carlo Pelarta, 30; Angelito Tamayo, Jr., 38; Rodrigo Vallota, 36; Leonard Luardo, 20; Danny Boy Alvarez, 29; Herson Subong, 32; Melody Jocson, 33; and JR Blanca, 31, all residents of Purok Concordia in the barangay.

Case investigator, Staff Sergeant Armando Arao Jr., said the victims are conscious but two of them are in critical condition at the Bago City Hospital.

Truck driver Micheal Cahilo and his helper, Bryan Dela Cruz, said the victims along with their six other companions were loading sugarcane when it started raining.

The victims sought shelter under the truck while their six companions went somewhere else, Cahilo said, adding that lightning struck near the truck minutes later.

He then saw the victims lying on the ground prompting them to seek help from the barangay's Volunteers Rescue Team.