A football match in southern Thailand ended in tragedy after a player was struck by lightning during a heavy rainstorm, leaving him dead and 12 other players injured.
The deceased, Sofwan Awae, 24, was playing in a local football tournament when a bolt of lightning hit the pitch at Santiphap Stadium in Sungai Golok on Tuesday, August 4.
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According to reports, the lightning struck while the match was being played in heavy rainfall.
Awae suffered critical injuries during the incident, prompting his teammates, who were wearing black-and-white kits, to immediately rush to his aid. They turned him onto his back and performed CPR as spectators gathered around the scene.
He was later transported to the hospital, where medical personnel fought to save his life.
Despite their efforts, Awae succumbed to his injuries.
Police confirmed that 12 players were also injured during the lightning strike, including a 22-year-old Malaysian national.
The injured victims were taken to Sungai Kolok Hospital for treatment, while Malaysian player Mohamad Alif Ezzahan Zulkifli later returned to Malaysia to continue receiving medical care.
Speaking on the incident, Sungai Golok 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.”
The game formed part of the Golok FA Cup, a local football competition featuring amateur clubs and Thai-Malaysian teams.
Tuesday’s fixture was between SAMCOLTS and Abu x Nong Sirin.
Awae played as a winger for SAMCOLTS and had recently signed for Yala FC, a club competing in Thailand’s third division.
Following the tragic incident, Yala FC paid tribute to the late footballer in a statement, saying:
“We extend our condolences to the family of our new FC Yala player, Sofwan Awae.”
The heartbreaking incident has sparked an outpouring of condolences from football fans and the wider sporting community.
According to Thailand’s Department of Disease Control, 283 people were struck by lightning across the country between 2020 and 2024, highlighting the dangers of outdoor activities during severe weather conditions.