24-yr-old footballer dies after lightning strikes pitch during match

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A 24-year-old footballer has died and 12 other players were injured after lightning struck a football pitch during a match in southern Thailand.

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The incident occurred on August 4, 2026, at Santiphap Stadium in Narathiwat province as a monsoon storm brought heavy rain during the game.

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Video footage from the match shows players running across the rain-soaked pitch when a lightning bolt suddenly struck the ground near them, producing a bright flash followed by flames and smoke.

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The lightning struck Safwan Awae, who collapsed on the pitch.

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Spectators and others at the stadium immediately rushed onto the field in an attempt to help the player, while emergency responders were called to the scene.

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Awae was given medical attention before being taken to hospital. However, police later confirmed that he had died from injuries sustained in the strike.

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Police chief Thun Sirikhunt said emergency medical personnel made efforts to save the player but were unable to revive him.

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“Although the emergency medical team made every effort to save him, the victim succumbed to severe injuries sustained in the incident,” Sirikhunt said.

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Twelve other players were also injured in the lightning strike, suffering burns. Among those affected was 22-year-old Malaysian footballer Alif Ezzahan Zulkifli.

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Awae had recently joined FC Yala, a club competing in the Thai League 3 Southern Region.

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The incident has highlighted the dangers of continuing outdoor sporting activities during severe thunderstorms, particularly when lightning is present.

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