A 24-year-old footballer was killed by a lightning strike during a match in southern Thailand, with 12 others injured, according to infohub.kz.
The incident occurred at Santiphap Stadium in Sungai Kolok, a town in Thailand's southern province. During the game, lightning struck the field, fatally injuring one player and injuring 12 others.
The deceased was identified as 24-year-old winger Sophwan Awa-e of the SAMCOLTS team. As reported by The Independent, despite prompt medical attention, he could not be saved.
The injured, including one Malaysian citizen, were hospitalized. The incident happened during a Golok FA Cup match between SAMCOLTS and Abu x Nong Sirin.
Footage of the event surfaced on social media, showing the moment lightning struck near several players on the field, followed by a loud explosion. Teammates immediately attempted resuscitation, but the player could not be revived.
The publication notes that such incidents occur regularly in Thailand. According to official data, from 2020 to 2024, 283 people were affected by lightning strikes in the country. On the same day, a similar tragedy occurred in India, where 14 people died from lightning strikes.