A Peruvian soccer match turned into a scene of tragedy when lightning struck during a game, claiming the life of one player and immediately dropping several others to the ground.
The horrific scene took place during a live televised match.
The match between Juventud Bellavista and Familia Chocca was taking place at Coto Coto stadium in Chilca, Peru, when the weather took a turn for the worse. The game was already halted due to the storm when the unthinkable happened.
But officials didn’t react quickly enough to the unfolding scene.
As players were walking off the field, a bolt of lightning struck. It had fatal consequences for 39-year-old defender José Hugo de la Cruz Meza.
The video is distressing. We warn readers before watching it.
Lightning strikes during a Peruvian soccer match, killing one and injuring five others.
— 🥥ɢʀɪɴɢᴏ🥥 (@GringoGuerrilla) November 4, 2024
Crazy footage. 🇵🇪🙏pic.twitter.com/xTjNUKhZHv
Lightning Strikes Soccer Field In Horrific Scene
The footage from the live broadcast showed players, including referees, slowly exiting the field when suddenly, a flash and crack of lightning brought several players to the ground simultaneously.
José Hugo was struck directly, succumbing to his injuries immediately.
The event was not only a stark reminder of the dangers posed by inclement weather but also highlighted the vulnerability of outdoor sports to natural elements.
While athletes today are sometimes teased due to games being delayed because of the elements, this incident is evidence that lightning should never be toyed with. Those players should have been sprinting off the field the moment radar indicated the presence of lightning strikes in the area.
Several Others Injured With Severe Burns
The aftermath saw other players rush to aid their fallen teammate. Goalkeeper Juan Chocca Llacta, himself was injured, suffering severe burns, and was among several players taken to the hospital.
In addition to the players on the soccer field, the lightning strike reportedly injured two teenagers and a 24-year-old man. They are listed as being in stable condition.
The match was abandoned, leaving fans and players in a state of shock.
“This terrible incident reminds us of the importance of protection against lightning, especially in open-air events,” Lucho Duarte, an engineer who also filmed the strike, said, according to the Mirror.
“We need to implement protective systems in sports installations and security protocols involving the immediate suspension of activities during storms.”
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