Terrible storm in Raten: tree kills 28-year-old man

A 28-year-old man was killed after a tree fell on him during a severe storm in Raten, Germany. The accident occurred at around 6:00 p.m. while heavy thunderstorms struck the area of the state of Saxony.

Emergency medical teams, firefighters and the mountain rescue service arrived on the scene within minutes. Footage from the site shows extensive damage to the forest and many broken trunks.

Rescuers' response

"The tree fell on a live power line during the storm in Germany, causing electrical discharges that visibly pulse through the flames," Samuel O. Dada posted on social media, showing a video from the scene.

"The drone team is on site and is checking whether there are any more victims. A thermal camera is also being used. The storm was extremely powerful, and even the mountain rescue hut was damaged by fallen trees," said Dr. Kaj Krajnih, deputy representative of the mountain rescue service. There was no saving the 28-year-old man — he died at the scene. Another three people sustained serious injuries.

Footage from the site shows multiple broken trunks, and roads and footpaths were covered with fallen branches and leaves. Because vehicles could not reach all parts of the area, rescuers set out on foot carrying stretchers on their backs to check for people trapped under trees. Workers from the state forestry service entered the forest with chainsaws to clear debris and search for possible victims.

The storm arrived after several days of a heat wave, during which temperatures in parts of Saxony reached up to 38 degrees Celsius.

Photo: X / @cyybergrll