Five South Koreans were killed by lightning in mountains near the capital on Sunday, while six other climbers were injured, KBS news said.

Two men and two women were struck and killed near a hill at Bukhan Mountain, northeast of Seoul, when heavy rains swept through the area, the report said, citing police and rescue workers.

Scores of other climbers have been struck by lightning in the same area in the past.

A 48-year-old man was also killed by lightning when he was climbing Surak Mountain bordering Seoul, the television said on its Web site (www.kbs.co.kr).

Police could not be immediately reached for comment.