By New York Post (World News) | Created at 2026-08-05 19:10:51 | Updated at 2026-08-06 11:16:26
16 hours ago
WARNING: DISTRESSING CONTENT
A footballer has been killed and 12 others injured after lightning strikes in Thailand.
A match was hit by a monsoon storm with players stuck under a downpour.
Video footage then shows lightning striking the ground, right next to where players are running.
A flash of flames can be seen at the bottom of a plume of smoke.
Player Safwan Awae, 24, was struck by a lightning bolt and tragically killed.
Spectators rushed to try and revive him after he fell to the ground.
Emergency services were called, and they provided medical attention before taking Awae to hospital.
Police later confirmed he had died and revealed 12 others suffered burns in the strike, including 22-year-old Malaysian footballer Alif Ezzahan Zulkifli.
“Although the emergency medical team made every effort to save him, the victim succumbed to severe injuries sustained in the incident,” said police chief Thun Sirikhunt.
Awae had recently signed for FC Yala, who compete in the Thai League 3 Southern Region.
In a heartfelt tribute on Facebook, the club wrote: “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.”
The tragedy occurred during the Golok Cup regional tournament at the Santiphap Stadium in Narathiwat province.
