British meteorologists said thousands of lightning strikes hit the U.K. during a powerful overnight thunderstorm, and a London-area airport reported flight disruptions Sunday after an aircraft refueling system was damaged.
London Stansted Airport said that a lightning strike disabled the fueling system "for a period this morning. Engineers have been on site and have now restored the system, however flights may still be subject to diversion, delay or cancellation."
CORRECTS DATE This photo made available by RNLI, shows a lightning strike during a storm in London, Saturday May 26, 2018. 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. (Matt Leat/RNLI via AP)
More than 200 flights were delayed at Stansted. Another 31 departures and 18 arrivals were cancelled, according to FlightStats, which provides data on commercial aviation.
London-area airports were busier than usual, since Britain is in the middle of a long holiday weekend, and many schoolchildren also have a half-term break this coming week.
Budget airline Ryanair, which has a big presence at Stansted, couldn't say how many of its flights had been affected at the airport, but was offering full refunds to some.
The Ireland-based airline apologized to those affected, but said the disruptions were beyond the company's control.
"A number of flights have regrettably been cancelled at Stansted Airport this morning due to an earlier airport fueling system failure, caused by a lightning strike," a Ryanair spokesman said. "All affected customers are being contacted and advised of their options of a full refund, a free transfer on to the next available flight or a free transfer on to an alternative routing."
Meteorologist Charlie Powell said information suggested there were "somewhere between 15,000 and 20,000 strikes across the U.K. during the overnight period."
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Nikita Kucherov scored on each of his first two shots and assisted on Gage Goncalves' two goals to help the Tampa Bay Lightning win their ninth straight game, 7-2 over the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday night.
The teams will meet against Monday night in Philadelphia.
Kucherov extended his points streak to nine games on his first shift, one-timing Brayden Point's pass past goalie Sam Ersson at 1:49. The Russian star beat Ersson again on his second shot, a wrister from the left circle at 6:05.
Kucherov had his third four-point game of the month and the season. He has multiple points in all nine games during the points streak to run his season total to 23. In his last 21 games, Kucherov has 13 goals and 33 assists.
Nick Paul, Brandon Hagel and Yanni Gourde also scored for the Lightning. Andrei Vasilevskiy made 18 saves for his seventh consecutive victory.
Philadelphia's Garnet Hathaway snapped a 44-game drought without a goal when he tipped Noah Juulsen's shot past Vasilevskiy in the first period. It was his first goal since April.
Owen Tippett also scored for the Flyers. Ersson made 16 saves.
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Tampa Bay Lightning's Nikita Kucherov celebrates his goal during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Philadelphia Flyers, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)
Philadelphia Flyers' Sean Couturier (14) checks Tampa Bay Lightning's Erik Cernak (81) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)
Tampa Bay Lightning's Erik Cernak, right, checks Philadelphia Flyers' Denver Barkey along the boards during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)
Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy makes a save during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Philadelphia Flyers, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)
Tampa Bay Lightning's Nick Paul, center, celebrates after his goal with Charle-Edouard D'Astous (51) during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Philadelphia Flyers, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)
