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A small, newly built temple in Fujian, China, was struck by lightning during a thunderstorm last week, damaging the structure and leaving the faces of statues of the Four Heavenly Kings inside scorched
According to New Tang Dynasty Television, the incident occurred last Wednesday, 24 June, when severe weather hit Anxi County, and a lightning strike pierced the roof of Longxu Temple (Dragon Whisker Temple).
Footage circulating online shows the aftermath of the strike, with the temple's roof, wooden beams, and tie-beams charred by fire.
Rubber debris was seen scattered on the ground, while the statues of the Four Heavenly Kings, flanked on either side of the entrance, appeared to be burned only on the face.
Their bodies remained pristine white, including the pedestal they are erected on.
Clips of the incident can be found below:
A local netizen said the temple had only recently been completed, with renovation works finished at the end of May, just weeks before the incident
The incident has since sparked widespread discussion online, with netizens offering various interpretations.
Some claimed it was a form of divine punishment, with one user commenting, "Deities are just three feet above our heads. Heavenly lightning only strikes evil things. This is a punishment from heaven."
"It seems this temple must have committed a grave sin," commented a netizen, while another added, "Evil entities being struck by lightning! Karma and retribution really do exist."
