16 injured after lightning strike at Ohio correctional facility

GRAFTON, OH. (NBC, KYMA) - 16 people were hurt yesterday when lightning struck the Grafton Correctional Institution in Grafton, Ohio.

The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction confirms 16 inmates at the facility were hospitalized following the lightning strike late Tuesday afternoon.

According to officials, the group was returning from a meal and walking from one building to another when the lightning struck.

Those injured were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment, with one being airlifted from the scene.

Authorities had initially indicated eight people were injured before the number doubled to 16 just hours later.

Further details regarding what happened are still being gathered at this time.

ODRC officials say they are continuing to assess and monitor the situation.