Lightning Strike Kills Newly Signed Footballer and Injures 12 Players During Match

The 24‑year‑old winger collapsed instantly as a bolt of lightning hit the pitch mid‑match.

A young Thai footballer, Safwan (Sofwan) Awae, has died after a lightning strike hit the pitch during a regional cup match in southern Thailand, just days after signing with Yala FC. The 24‑year‑old winger was playing in the semi‑final of the Golok FA Cup at Santiphap Stadium in Sungai Golok when a sudden bolt of lightning struck the field amid heavy rain, throwing players to the ground and leaving Awae critically injured. Despite urgent attempts by teammates and emergency responders to revive him, he later succumbed to his injuries in hospital.

Safwan was regarded as a player on the rise, with local media describing him as a young talent with “momentum” in his career. Coaches valued his speed, agility, and work rate, and he was projected to become a key part of Yala FC’s attacking line‑up for the upcoming season.

The terrifying incident unfolded at around 5.30pm local time as SAMCOLTS faced Abu x Nong Sirin in the cross‑border Thai‑Malaysian amateur tournament. Video footage circulating online shows a bright flash hitting the centre of the pitch, followed by a loud explosion. Players rushed to Awae, flipping him onto his back as spectators ran onto the field in panic. Police later confirmed that 12 players were injured, including a 22‑year‑old Malaysian footballer, several suffering burns from the strike. All were taken to Sungai Golok Hospital for treatment.

Footage shows the moment a lightning strike hit a football player

@aljazeeraenglish
Footage shows the moment a lightning strike hit a football player in southern Thailand, during a semi-final match, killing him instantly. The strike injured 12 others as a monsoon storm swept through the area. Warning: video shows graphic footage.
♬ original sound - Al Jazeera English

Awae had only signed for Yala FC, a Thai League 3 Southern Division side, on 29 July, having previously played for Pattani FC where he scored seven goals in 18 matches. His new club issued a heartfelt message of condolence, quoting a Quranic verse and expressing deep sorrow at the loss of a player who had only just begun his journey with them. The Football Association of Thailand also extended sympathies to his family, as tributes poured in across Thai football circles.

Lightning‑related football deaths are rare globally, but Southeast Asia, Africa and South America see the highest incidence due to outdoor play, monsoon seasons and limited weather‑safety protocols.

The tragedy has reignited concerns about lightning safety in Southeast Asian football, where extreme weather is common and fatal strikes are not rare. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident, while local media highlight previous cases of players killed during training or matches in the region. As the football community mourns Safwan Awae, his death stands as a stark reminder of the dangers athletes face when severe weather meets the beautiful game he loved.