Lightning strike kills footballer and injures 12 others during match
A footballer died and 12 other players were injured after lightning struck a pitch during a match in southern Thailand, highlighting the serious dangers posed by playing outdoor sport in severe weather. The incident occurred on Tuesday at Santiphap Stadium in Sungai Golok, prompting an emergency response from medical teams and drawing attention to safety protocols for matches held during storms.
The player who died, 24-year-old Sofwan Awae, suffered serious injuries when the lightning bolt struck the pitch during heavy rain, and he later succumbed to his injuries despite efforts by medical staff. Footage showed the strike hitting near players on the field, followed by a loud bang, after which teammates rushed to Mr Awae's side, turned him onto his back and performed CPR as crowds gathered. Police said 12 players were injured, including a 22-year-old Malaysian national.
- Lightning strike at a Thai football match killed one player, 24.
- Twelve other players were injured, including a Malaysian national, 22.
- Teammates performed CPR after the strike during heavy rain.
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Lightning is a sudden electrical discharge between clouds or between a cloud and the ground. A strike can injure or kill people nearby, and an open sports pitch offers little shelter during a storm.
Football matches are played outdoors, so organisers and officials must consider weather risks and decide when play should stop. Heavy rain can accompany thunderstorms, but it does not make a pitch safe from lightning.
The incident took place in Sungai Golok, a town in southern Thailand near the Malaysian border. The reported casualties included players from both Thailand and Malaysia, making the event relevant to people in the local cross-border community.