LONDON (AP) — British meteorologists say up to 20,000 lightning strikes hit the U.K. during a powerful overnight thunderstorm, and a London-area airport is reporting flight disruptions after an aircraft refueling system was damaged. It is estimated that the UK was hit by lightning between 15,000 and 20,000 times – including one bolt hitting the Shard in London, in a dramatic moment captured by photographers. Western Power Distribution said nearly 1,000 properties had been left without power across the Midlands, with the majority of outages down to lightning. UK hit by up to 20,000 lightning strikes

LONDON: The UK has been hit by up to 20,000 lightning strikes in a massive electrical storm that swept the country on Saturday night. Stansted Airport confirmed the problem, saying that the aircraft fuelling system was unavailable "for a period this morning" due to a lightning strike. After the delays on Sunday morning, a Stansted Airport spokesman said on Twitter: "Engineers have been on site and have now restored the system, however flights may still be subject to diversion, delay or cancellation. Pic: @GiantDwarf3

In a statement, Ryanair said: "A number of flights have regrettably been cancelled at Stansted Airport this morning due to an earlier airport fuelling system failure, caused by a lightning strike.
More than 200 departures are delayed and about 50 arrivals and departures are cancelled after lightning hit the aircraft fuel system at London Stansted Airport. Violent thunderstorm accompanied by heavy rain overnight caused flooding and property damage; the UK was struck by lightning more than 60,000 times in 24 hours, according to the Met Office.