Footballer killed in freak lightning strike that injured 12 others

This is the terrifying moment lightning struck a football pitch, killing one player and injuring 12 others in southern Thailand.

The two teams were playing through a monsoon at the Santiphap Stadium in Narathiwat province when lightning struck the rain-soaked pitch.

Footage captured the bolt hitting Safwan Awae, 24, in a cloud of smoke inside the penalty area during the match on August 4.

A further 12 players were burned by the force of the thunderbolt, with others filmed trying to revive their teammate while medics went to the scene.

Police chief Thun Sirikhunt said the Thai winger was rushed to hospital in critical condition, but later died.

The officer said: ‘Although the emergency medical team made every effort to save him, the victim succumbed to severe injuries sustained in the incident.’

Twelve others, including Malaysian footballer Alif Ezzahan Zulkifli, 22, were also injured and treated in the Sungai Golok district of the city.

The freak incident occurred during the Golok Cup regional tournament with locals and mixed amateur teams from Thailand and Malaysia.

Safwan was playing for Sam Colt against Abu X Nong Sirin in a regional football tournament featuring local and mixed teams from Thailand and Malaysia.

He played as a forward and winger and had recently made a dream move, signing as a semi-professional for FC Yala on July 30 to compete in the Thai League 3 Southern Region.

In a tribute on Facebook, the football 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.’

Southeast Asia is at the peak of its rainy monsoon season, which usually runs from May through October, bringing storms and flooding.

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