A football player was killed and 12 others were injured after lightning struck during a regional tournament match in southern Thailand, with video footage showing the moment the strike hit the pitch.
The incident occurred on Tuesday, August 4, at Santi Phap Stadium in Sungai Kolok district, Narathiwat province, during a semi-final match of the Kolok FA Cup, according to Al Jazeera.
Video footage shared online appeared to show a lightning strike hitting the football field during heavy monsoon rain, causing several players to collapse. The dramatic footage quickly spread on social media and drew international attention.
The player killed in the incident was identified as 24-year-old Safwan Awai, a newly joined member of Yala FC. Teammates and officials immediately rushed to provide first aid after he collapsed on the pitch.
Police said emergency responders took Awai to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead due to the severity of his injuries.
Twelve other players were injured in the strike, including a Malaysian footballer, and were taken for medical treatment. Authorities said no additional deaths had been reported.
Yala FC expressed condolences over Awai’s death, describing the incident as a tragic loss for the club and his teammates.
The lightning strike occurred as Thailand’s southern region was experiencing severe monsoon weather, with heavy rain and thunderstorms affecting outdoor activities.
The incident has renewed concerns about safety measures for sporting events during extreme weather conditions. Weather experts and safety officials often advise organisers to suspend outdoor activities when thunderstorms approach to reduce the risk of lightning-related injuries.
Authorities are expected to review the circumstances surrounding the match and whether additional safety measures could have prevented the tragedy.
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