“Tragedy Strikes: Husband Watches in Horror as Lightning Claims His Wife on Dream Vacation”
In a twist of fate that seems plucked right out of a tragic novel, a woman’s life was cut short during what was meant to be a simple mountain hike with her husband. Imagine the indescribable shock of witnessing a loved one struck by lightning – that’s exactly what Samuel Andres Sierra experienced when his wife, Gabriela Daiana Basallo, 32, tragically passed away in front of him in Peru’s picturesque Red Valley. They were on holiday, taking in the breathtaking scenery, when a freak lightning strike changed everything in an instant. What’s almost surreal is how quickly life can turn—one moment you’re hiking along beautiful orange and red mountains, and the next, a weather-related disaster strikes, leaving heartache in its wake. As the investigation unfolds, we can’t help but ponder: how often do we underestimate nature’s unpredictability? This is unfortunately not the first lightning-related tragedy to hit Peru, and it definitely raises some eyebrows about the risks involved in outdoor adventures. For those curious to dive deeper into this heartbreaking story, LEARN MORE.
A woman tragically passed away in front of her husband after being struck by lightning during a mountain hike.
The Argentinian couple were on holiday in the Red Valley, part of Peru’s Cusco region, when a weather-related disaster struck.
Gabriela Daiana Basallo, 32, was hit by lightning and instantly killed in front of her husband, Samuel Andres Sierra, who was said to have sustained serious injuries from the incident.
When called on Tuesday (12 November), authorities found Gabriela’s body with burns following the freak accident, police reports reveal.
Gabriela sadly died after being struck by lightning on their hike (NewsX)
The pair were hiking in a scenic region of the South American nation, which boasts orange and red-coloured mountains.
Tour guide Efrain Zamora Galindo was responsible for contacting relevant authorities about the death of the young woman from Buenos Aires, who was also the mother to a boy, aged 10, say local media reports.
The couple were said to be walking down a mountain when the lightning bolt hit Gabriela.
Samuel was quickly taken to hospital to receive medical treatment while Gabriela’s body was taken to a morgue for an autopsy. The public prosecutor’s office are investigating the event.
Galindo went on to say that the Red Valley is known for its terrain and unpredictable weather, with the region experiencing ‘frequent snowfall and rain’.
The valley is behind the famous Rainbow Mountain, known for its appearance that features several colours, reports The Mirror. The name Red Valley comes from the area’s standout red surface as it is rick in clay and iron.
It isn’t the first fatal lightning-related incident to take place in Peru, this year (NewsX)
Unfortunately, this is not the first tragic lightning-related accident to take place in Peru, as footballer Jose Huge de la Cruz Meza was killed after being hit by lightning during a game on November 3, with five more on the pitch injured.
Grim footage revealed the 39-year-old falling face-first on the pitch just moments after the referee called for a halt to the game around 4pm local time, after sounds of thunder became more prominent.
He died instantly, while goalkeeper Juan Chocca Llacta, 40, was also hit by lightning, though he was rushed to hospital with severe burns.
Footage of the incident went viral just last week, with players heading towards the changing rooms as the lightning strikes occurred.
The game was abandoned after the horrifying incident, when Juventud Bellavista were winning 2-0 against Familia Chocca with 22 minutes played.
