Robbers struck by lightning after raiding church (video)

A group of robbers who raided a church in St Petersburg were hit by lightning as they sped off during a police chase.

The masked men were driving on a road in Russia with police following them when a bolt of lightning caused their car to explode, sending debris across the road.

According to a post on YouTube, the lightning destroyed the car and killed all passengers inside. Another car was damaged when it hit the getaway vehicle.

The crash reportedly happened on 9 December. It is not clear who filmed the video or if it is real.

Apparently, the chances of being struck by lightning are 300,000 to one. Around 24,000 people are killed by lightning each year.

Experts say August is the month people are most likely to be struck by lightning in Britain.

A new report by the Tornado and Storm Research Organisation (TORRO) shows that being inside doesn't mean you are safe and a quarter of indoor incidents take place when a person is using or touching their landline phones.

The study revealed that 722 people were hit by lightning between 1988 and 2012. On average, two people are killed each year.

While many believe that being at home with the windows and doors closed is safe, electrical currents from lightning surge through metal wires and pipes.