Four people in critical condition after lightning strike in front of the White House

Four people are in critical condition in Washington D.C. hospitals after lightning struck them in front of the White House on Thursday.

The lightning struck in Lafayette Park, Vito Maggiolo, spokesman for DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services, confirmed at a press conference.

Two injured men and two injured women were transported to area hospitals, DC Fire and EMS posted on Twitter.

Update Lafayette Park lightning strike. #DCsBravest transported 2 adult males & 2 adult females to area hospitals. All had critical life threatening injuries.

— DC Fire and EMS (@dcfireems) August 4, 2022

"All four suffered critical, life-threatening injuries" when help arrived, Maggiolo added.

In addition, officers from the Uniformed Division of the Secret Service and the Park Police immediately arrived at the scene to assist the injured.

The iconic park remained closed Thursday night after emergency crews arrived at the scene.

So far, authorities have not provided further details about the identity or condition of the victims, nor about the incident.

The lightning struck amid a severe thunderstorm that hit Washington D.C. on Thursday afternoon, which had previously been reported by the National Weather Service (NWS).