A Malaysia woman and her granddaughter were killed in Malaysia's northeastern state of Kelantan when lightning struck them while they were taking shelter under a tree, police said Sunday.

Grandmother Che Lijah Said, 62 and granddaughter Roslizawati Che Kar, 24, died immediately after being hit by the lightning, Bernama news agency quoted a police spokesman as saying.

Bernama said the two victims had come to a beach for a picnic with 12 other family members.

Torek Sulong, 35, said he heard a burst of thunderbolt at the time of the tragedy. Then there was this thunderstorm," he said.

Police said the victims suffered severe burns on their bodies. - AFP