Lightning strike kills player and injures dozen during Thai football match
A lightning bolt hit the pitch at Santiphap Stadium in Narathiwat, killing Safwan Awae and wounding 12 other participants.
A severe thunderstorm produced a lightning strike that hit the playing surface of Santiphap Stadium in Narathiwat province during the Golok Cup regional tournament. The bolt struck Safwan Awae, a recent signing for FC Yala of the Thai League 3 Southern Region, causing fatal injuries. Spectators and emergency personnel attempted resuscitation before Awae was taken to a hospital, where he later died.
Police reports indicate that twelve other footballers, among them 22-year-old Malaysian Alif Ezzahan Zulkifli, sustained burns. Police chief Thun Sirikhunt said the medical team did everything possible, but the victim succumbed to his injuries. FC Yala posted a condolence message on social media, expressing sorrow for Awae’s family.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the dangers of extreme weather at outdoor sporting events and the need for safety protocols.
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