Seven villagers were building a tomb on a small hill near Zhiwan Village, Panshi Township, Yueqing City at about 4:00 p.m. on Monday, when there was a boom of thunder followed by a heavy downpour, a township police spokesman said.

Lightning struck and five villagers were killed on the spot and another injured. The only villager to emerge unscathed ran to the village and summoned police.

The spokesman did not say whether the villagers were using shovels or other metal tools at the time.

Rain and thundershowers have been frequent occurrences in recent days in Wenzhou, according to the local meteorological station, which has warned residents against lightning.

The station has dispatched staff members to the village to look into the accident.