Curitiba, Brazil— A farmer working in an open field in Paraná was killed Saturday after a direct lightning strike during a fast-moving severe storm that swept across the region.
Civil Defense said the storm formed in the early afternoon, bringing heavy rain, strong wind gusts, and intense electrical activity. The farmer was alone, operating equipment far from shelter.
Neighbors said they heard a sharp crack and saw smoke rise from the field. When they reached the site, the man was on the ground, unresponsive. His tractor had stalled nearby.
Paramedics from the municipal health unit tried resuscitation for several minutes. The strike had caused cardiac arrest. He was declared dead at the location.
The victim was identified by local authorities as a 56-year-old soybean producer who had lived in the area for more than two decades. Relatives were notified at the family home.
“He was the kind of man who worked through anything,” a neighbor said. “The sky turned black very quickly. There was no time to get back.”
Weather agency Simepar had issued an alert for severe storms and lightning risk for western and central Paraná on Saturday. More than 2,000 lightning strikes were recorded in three hours.
Farming remains one of the most exposed occupations during electrical storms. Open fields, metal equipment, and isolation increase the risk. Safety officials repeatedly warn workers to seek closed shelter when thunder is audible.
The local mayor’s office said assistance will be provided to the family. Funeral arrangements are pending.
Storms are expected to continue into Sunday. Authorities urged rural workers to monitor alerts and avoid open areas during peak lightning activity.
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