A 24-year-old footballer, Safwan Awae, has di£d and 12 other players were injured after lightning struck the pitch during a match in Thailand.
Safwan, who played as a winger for Yala FC, was taking part in the Golok FA Cup 2026 tournament when lightning struck the pitch at Santiphap Stadium in Narathiwat province, southern Thailand.
The incident happened on August 4, 2026, during a match played amid heavy rain and stormy weather conditions.
Footage from the stadium showed the moment lightning hit the playing area, causing players to collapse.
Emergency responders and people at the venue rushed to assist the affected players before they were taken for medical treatment.
Safwan was among those seriously affected and was later confirmed de@d from injuries sustained during the incident.
At least 12 other players were injured in the lightning strike, with some requiring hospital treatment. One of the injured players was reportedly Malaysian footballer Alif Ezzahan Zulkifli, who suffered injuries after the strike.
Following the tragedy, Yala FC and football authorities expressed condolences over Safwan’s d£ath, describing the incident as a painful loss for the club and the football community.
See video below.
Thai footballer Sofwan Awae, 24, killed by lightning strike during match in Narathiwat. 12 others injured. Bolt hit pitch at Santiphap Stadium. Tragic moment caught on video. pic.twitter.com/lrmQqpfmut
— NIDA TV (@Nidatv_1) August 6, 2026
