Bangkok: A 24-year-old player Sophwan Away has died after being struck by lightning during a local football match in Thailand.
12 other players were also injured after being struck by lightning during this match in southern Thailand. The incident has left those present on the field shaken. The video of the players playing football amidst the rain is going viral on social media.
At the same time, lightning suddenly struck the field, and a loud explosion was heard, and Away collapsed on the field immediately after the lightning struck. Seeing him lying motionless, his teammates immediately rushed to him. It is understood that the player died tragically at this time.
According to sources, Away, who was playing as a winger, was seriously injured. Although emergency medical teams tried hard to save him, he died due to severe injuries.
Local news outlet The Independent reported that the incident took place during the Golok FA Cup tournament, a local football tournament involving amateur and Thai-Malaysian teams.
The match was being played between the Samcolts team that Avaye represented and Abu X Nong Sirin. As the video of the incident spread on social media, condolences have been expressed from various quarters. At the same time, some have raised questions about the fact that the match was held in such weather conditions.
“The emergency medical team made all possible efforts to save the player. However, he died due to serious injuries sustained in the incident,” said police chief Thun Sirikhunt. The Malaysian news agency Bernama reported this information.
The Football Association of Thailand also expressed its condolences over Avaye’s tragic death.
“We share in the grief of his family, those involved in the incident and the football club. We extend our heartfelt condolences to them,” the Football Association said.
This is not the first time:
Deaths caused by lightning are now quite common in Thailand, the news agency noted. The report, citing figures from the Department of Disease Control, said that at least 283 people were killed by lightning across the country between 2020 and 2024. Many of them died on the spot.