Manila - Three pineapple growers were killed by lightning in a southern Philippine town, a police report said Saturday.

Nine other plantation workers of Del Monte Philippines Inc were also hurt when lightning struck them late Thursday in Manolo Fortich town in Bukidnon province, 840 kilometres south of Manila.

Police said the victims were harvesting pineapples when lighting struck them.

The three fatalities died instantly while the nine injured suffered third-degree burns and were being treated at a nearby hospital. (dpa)