Thai footballer Sofwan Awae has died after lightning struck a football pitch during a match in Thailand with the incident also leaving 12 other people injured.
The lightning strike happened while players competed on the field, causing panic as several people fell to the ground and forcing emergency teams to rush to the scene, where they took the injured players and officials to nearby hospitals for treatment.
Medical workers tried to save Awae, but he sadly died from injuries suffered during the strike. His death has shocked Thailand’s football community and sparked an outpouring of grief from teammates, fans and local football groups.
Authorities are now looking into the incident. They will examine the weather conditions and the decision to continue the match during the storm.
Lightning remains a major danger during outdoor sporting events, with experts warning that storms can create life-threatening situations within seconds and advising organisers to stop matches immediately whenever lightning appears nearby.
Football bodies around the world continue to stress the importance of weather safety measures, requiring players, coaches and officials to leave the pitch immediately until conditions become safe.
Sofwan Awae’s death has left Thailand’s football community mourning, with the tragedy serving as a painful reminder that extreme weather can quickly turn a sporting event into a disaster.
