A weekend outing took an unexpected and tragic turn on Sunday, July 5, 2026, when a rare lightning strike hit the waters off Pasir Ris Beach. A 24-year-old man tragically lost his life after being struck by lightning while stand-up paddleboarding in the waters off the beach. Meanwhile, seven others were hospitalized for their injuries from the lightning strike. Here’s exactly how the sudden Singapore lightning strike unfolded on July 5.
How exactly did the freak lightning strike unfold?
The victim, Mikhail Benyamin, was a certified freelance outdoor instructor who was spending his off-duty time with his family. He was part of a group of eight—ranging in age from 13 to 54—who were out on the water kayaking and paddleboarding. At approximately 4.50pm, a sudden bolt of lightning struck the water directly impacting Benyamin—despite eyewitness reports that the skies appeared clear and no immediate weather warnings had been issued for the area.
Two men jumped in kayaks to paddle out to help bring the unconscious Benyamin and the remaining family members back to land. Once on the beach, several members of the public took turns performing CPR on him until the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) arrived at the scene.
Benyamin was rushed unconscious to Sengkang General hospital, where he tragically passed away from his injuries. The seven other group members, who remained conscious, were transported to Sengkang General Hospital and KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital for medical evaluation.
The sheer force of the strike was felt even on the shoreline, with one bystander reporting an electrical jolt travelling through his fishing rod.
Authorities have confirmed that no foul play is suspected, and police investigations into the Singapore lightning strike incident are currently ongoing as the local community mourns the loss of a dedicated instructor.
Update: police reports amended the official figure today on the others brought to hospital to six.
