NARATHIWAT, Thailand — A local football tournament in southern Thailand ended in tragedy after a lightning strike hit the pitch during a match, killing one player and injuring 12 others.
The victim, 24-year-old Sofwan Awae, suffered critical injuries when lightning struck Santiphap Stadium in Sungai Golok on Tuesday, August 4, 2026. Despite efforts by emergency responders and medical personnel, he later died in hospital.
The shocking incident has sparked renewed concerns about player safety during outdoor sporting events held in severe weather conditions.
Lightning Strikes During Football Match
The lightning strike occurred during a Golok FA Cup fixture between SAMCOLTS and Abu x Nong Sirin, an amateur football tournament featuring teams from Thailand and Malaysia.
Witnesses said players were still on the field when a powerful bolt of lightning struck near a group of footballers during injury time.
The impact sent players, match officials and spectators scrambling for safety.
Videos shared on social media captured the terrifying moment the lightning hit the pitch, followed by a loud explosion that stunned everyone at the stadium.
Players Rush to Save Teammate
Moments after the strike, teammates wearing black-and-white striped jerseys rushed to Sofwan Awae’s aid.
Witnesses said players turned him onto his back and immediately attempted cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) while waiting for emergency medical teams to arrive.
He was later transported to hospital in critical condition but was pronounced dead despite doctors’ efforts to save his life.
Twelve Others Injured
Police confirmed that 12 other players, including a Malaysian national, were injured in the incident.
The injured were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment, with authorities yet to release detailed updates on their conditions.
Investigators are continuing to assess the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Yala FC Pays Tribute
Sofwan Awae had recently joined Thai League 3 side Yala FC, where he played as a winger.
Following confirmation of his death, the club released a statement expressing deep sorrow and extending condolences to his family, friends and teammates.
The club described him as a talented young footballer with great potential whose life had been tragically cut short.
Growing Concern Over Lightning Safety
The tragedy has once again highlighted the dangers posed by lightning during outdoor sporting events.
According to Thailand’s Department of Disease Control, at least 283 people were struck by lightning between 2020 and 2024, with many of the incidents proving fatal.
Safety experts continue to urge sporting organisations to suspend matches immediately whenever thunderstorms or lightning are detected near playing venues.
Severe Weather Claims More Lives
The football tragedy occurred on the same day severe thunderstorms caused multiple fatalities elsewhere in Asia.
Authorities in Jharkhand, India, reported that at least 14 people, most of them farm workers caught in open fields, were killed by lightning during the storms.
The incidents have renewed calls for greater public awareness about lightning safety during periods of severe weather.
