Seventeen people treated after lightning strike in Canada

Seventeen people have been taken to hospital with minor injuries after lightning struck a dining tent at a food festival in Ontario, Canada.

Whitby Ribfest event chair Colin O'Regan said that the lightning hit a tent holding several hundred people taking shelter from a sudden downpour in Whitby, a town about 34 miles east of Toronto.

He said the lightning bolt struck one of the tent's steel poles.

Lakeridge Health hospital spokesman, Aaron Lazarus, said some of those taken to hospital suffered minor burns. He said everyone has been discharged.

Mr O'Regan said festival officials were aware of the severe thunderstorm watch, but thought it was not a risk at the time.

He said the festival has closed early as a result of the lightning strike.

AP