At least 38 children rushed to hospital after lightning strikes camp site in Germany as 700 youngsters evacuated

AT LEAST 38 children have been rushed to the hospital after lightning struck a campsite in Germany.

More than 700 people have been immediately evacuated from The Pentecost tent camp after it was hit by a dangerous thunderbolt on Sunday afternoon.

The incident came after a violent thunderstorm passed over the Soest district, passing through the tent camp of the youth fire brigades.

Authorities soon triggered the "mass casualty incident" alarm in the area.

More than 100 firefighters were sent to the scene for the large-scale rescue operation.

All children and carers were evacuated from the tent camp and moved into buildings inside an old rocket station in Soest-Ruploh.

No one is severely injured, it is understood.

A spokesman for the fire department told they "don't know" if the camp will continue "at this point".

Thomas Wienecke, chief of the district's fire department, said that some 62 people were examined on-site by the emergency services.

Later 38 of them were sent to hospitals throughout the Soest and Unna districts for "further examination".

"The people who were nearby felt the lightning strike strongly. They subsequently complained of tingling in their arms and legs.

"We spoke to everyone affected and everyone feels very well looked after. Ultimately, 38 people have to go to hospital. You just have to be on the safe side with them," the boss added.