As we enter Lightning Safety Awareness Week, lightning safety experts stress that being outside anywhere is a dangerous risk when lightning is in the area.

LEXINGTON, S.C. — A large group of people were hospitalized after they were struck by lightning in a South Carolina beach park Tuesday evening, emergency officials said.

The thunderstorm swept through Lexington around 4:43 p.m. ET.

One lightning bolt struck a group of eight adults and 12 children at Dominion Beach Park at Dreher Shoals Dam, according to a Lexington County spokesperson.

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Originally, county officials told FOX Weather 18 people were sent to a local hospital, including all 12 children. However, the county has since updated their information to state 12 people were sent to three local hospitals for treatment. And while the extent of their injuries was not given, all were expected to survive, officials said.

They did not give a breakdown in their update on how many of the injured were adults or children. 

The National Weather Service office in Columbia, South Carolina had issued a Special Weather Statement about 5 minutes before the lightning strike warning a strong thunderstorm was heading for western Lexington County with lightning and gusts to 50 mph.