A footballer was killed and 12 others injured when lightning struck a football pitch in southern Thailand during a monsoon match. The incident occurred at Santiphap Stadium in Narathiwat province on August 4.
Fatal strike during match
Safwan Awae, 24, was struck by lightning inside the penalty area during a regional tournament match. Footage captured the bolt hitting him in a cloud of smoke. He was rushed to hospital in critical condition but later died.
Police chief Thun Sirikhunt said: 'Although the emergency medical team made every effort to save him, the victim succumbed to severe injuries sustained in the incident.'
Other injuries and context
Twelve others, including Malaysian footballer Alif Ezzahan Zulkifli, 22, were burned by the force of the thunderbolt and treated in the Sungai Golok district. The match was part of the Golok Cup regional tournament featuring local and mixed amateur teams from Thailand and Malaysia.
Safwan was playing for Sam Colt against Abu X Nong Sirin. He had recently signed as a semi-professional for FC Yala on July 30 to compete in the Thai League 3 Southern Region.
FC Yala paid tribute on Facebook: 'Indeed, we belong to Allah, and indeed, to Him we will return. Condolences to the family of Safwan Awae, the new player of FC Yala.'
Southeast Asia is in its rainy monsoon season, which typically runs from May through October, bringing storms and flooding.
