lightning
Authorities in East Java province called on local residents to stay alert during heavy rainstorms after three villagers were fatally struck by lightning on Wednesday.

The three victims, who lived in Tragah district in Bangkalan regency, were taking shelter from heavy rain and thunderstorms in a small, semi-open hut in the middle of a paddy field when they were struck by lightning.

"Witnesses reported that the victims were squeezing together in the hut when the lightning struck them," East Java provincial administration's National and Political Unity Office (Kesbangpol) head Eddy Supriyanto confirmed to The Jakarta Post on Wednesday evening.

The victims, two men and a woman, have been identified as Brahma, 46, Solikin, 29, and Misnawati, 25. They died instantly from the incident, which happened just before noon Wednesday.

Data from the Juanda Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) in Surabaya showed that most of the East Java region had experienced heavy showers throughout Wednesday. Many regions in the province are also predicted to see rain from mild to medium intensity on Thursday.