Lightning strike at Venezuelan airport injures nine

VALENCIA, Venezuela — A lightning strike on the apron of Arturo Michelena International Airport in the city of Valencia, Carabobo state, injured at least nine people, Venezuelan authorities said. The injured included four members of the National Guard and five airport workers, according to local reports. Fire and rescue teams were dispatched to the scene. Eight of the wounded were taken to the emergency department of the Dr. Enrique Tejera Hospital Complex. Three aircraft parked on the apron at the time of the strike were not damaged, officials said. Flights were briefly suspended because of the severe weather before air traffic at the airport resumed normal operations. The newspaper El Impulso reported that the National Guard personnel were on duty at the time of the strike. Venezuelan authorities have opened an investigation into the incident. The injured were reported to be in stable condition.