A FISHING trip ended in tragedy when a local man was fatally struck by lightning while returning home amid heavy rain at the Teluk Baru Fishermen’s Jetty near Langkawi on Wednesday evening.
Langkawi District Police Chief, Assistant Commissioner Khairul Azhar Nuruddin, said the victim, identified as Ishak Hashim, 57, from Kampung Berjaya, Langkawi, was pronounced dead while receiving treatment at Sultanah Maliha Hospital.
“The victim, who owned the boat, had gone out fishing with three friends at about 8 a.m. from the same jetty,” he said in a statement.
At around 7.20 p.m., the group returned to shore after a day at sea. As rain poured down, they took shelter beneath the jetty’s roof.
“Before the incident, the victim had washed his boat and performed Maghrib prayers.
He then decided to return home despite the rain, as he was already wet and feeling cold,” Khairul Azhar said.
Moments later, Ishak was struck by lightning while reaching for his fishing rod, causing him to collapse and fall beneath the jetty.
“Members of the public nearby helped lift him onto a boat and brought him ashore. The unconscious victim was taken to hospital around 8.35 p.m. but was confirmed dead an hour later,” he added.
The body has been sent to Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital in Alor Setar for a post-mortem examination. Police have classified the case as sudden death. - November 13, 2025
