Incidents when footballers struck by lightning during a match

A friendly football match between 2 FLO FC Bandung and FBI Subang in Indonesia turned into a nightmare on Sunday, January 11, when a 30-year-old player from Persicas Subang was struck by lightning and died on the spot.

The horrifying incident, which took place in the city of Bandung, was captured on video and shared widely on social media. The video shows the footballer walking on the field, waiting for a pass, when suddenly a loud blast hits him and he falls to the ground. The other players on the field were stunned and scared by the sight.

According to local media reports, the player was rushed to the hospital but he was declared dead on arrival. The death of the footballer due to lightning has left his teammates in shock and grief.

The tragic incident is the second time an Indonesian footballer has been struck by lightning in the last 12 months. A young football player in Bojonegoro, East Java was struck by lightning during the Soeratin U-13 Cup in 2023.

The player, who suffered cardiac arrest, was rushed off the field and taken to the Ibnu Sina Hospital in Bojonegoro for medical treatment. The youngster was successfully revived after medical assistance and regained consciousness after approximately 20 minutes.

In 2023, a 21-year-old Brazilian footballer was also struck by lightning while on the pitch in Brazil. Caio Henrique de Lima Goncalves, 21, was playing for his Uniao Jaiirense team in a cup fixture in the southern state of Parana when he was jolted by the lightning strike.

Timeline of Incidents when footballers struck by lightning

• 2006: A Congolese football team, Bena Tshadi, was killed by lightning during a match in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The entire team of 11 players died on the spot, while the opposing team, Basanga, survived.
• 2010: A Bolivian footballer, Joao Contreras, was struck by lightning during a match in Bolivia. He suffered burns and cardiac arrest, but survived after being taken to hospital. His teammate, Romulo Baldivieso, and a referee were also injured by the lightning.
• 2014: A South African footballer, Luyanda Ntshangase, was struck by lightning during a match in South Africa. He was in a coma for a month and died in 2018 due to complications from the injury.
• 2016: A Colombian footballer, Miguel Camargo, was struck by lightning during a match in Colombia. He was knocked unconscious and suffered burns, but recovered after being treated at a hospital.
• 2018: A German footballer, Marvin Thiel, was struck by lightning during a match in Germany. He collapsed on the field and was resuscitated by a defibrillator. He was taken to hospital and survived.
• 2020: A Russian footballer, Ivan Zaborovsky, was struck by lightning during a training session in Russia. He was wearing a metal chain around his neck, which amplified the shock. He was put in a medically induced coma and suffered lung damage, but recovered after a few weeks.
• 2021: A British boy, 12, was struck by lightning during a school football match in England. He suffered serious injuries and was taken to hospital in a critical condition.
• 2024: An Indonesian footballer, 34, was struck by lightning and killed during a match in Indonesia. He collapsed at the stadium and died at the hospital. Another player, 21, was also injured by the lightning.

Why you should stop playing football in lightning

Playing football in lightning is a dangerous and potentially fatal activity that should be avoided at all costs, according to experts and recent incidents.

In a stark reminder of the dangers posed by lightning during outdoor activities, recent incidents have highlighted the lethal risks associated with playing football amidst thunderstorms. Lightning strikes, a natural phenomenon resulting from electrical imbalances between storm clouds and the ground, pose grave threats to individuals engaging in open-field sports like football.

Statistics reveal a staggering number of thunderstorms worldwide, with thousands occurring daily. Tragically, victims of lightning strikes, particularly those in open areas, become part of the main discharge channel, significantly increasing the lethality of the impact.

India has also witnessed a disturbing trend of lightning-related fatalities, with the National Crime Records Bureau reporting over 2,000 deaths annually since 2005.

While FIFA mandates rules for lightning safety during official matches, the absence of supervision in unofficial games and practices poses significant risks. Without proper oversight, players, especially children, remain vulnerable to lightning-related accidents.

Football players are particularly vulnerable to lightning strikes, as they are often outdoors, in open fields, and wearing metal equipment. Football matches also tend to attract large crowds of spectators, who may not be aware of the weather conditions or the safety precautions. Moreover, football players and fans may be reluctant to stop or leave the game, even when there are signs of lightning, such as dark clouds, thunder, or flashes.

Keep Reading

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IMD Report: How many people lost life due to lightning strike in 2023?

907 deaths due to lightning this year in India

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