Thai footballer killed after lightning strike hits pitch during semi-final match; 12 others injured

A 24-year-old Thai footballer was killed and 12 others were injured after a lightning strike hit the pitch during a semi-final match in southern Thailand on Tuesday evening.

The incident occurred at Santiphap Stadium in Sungai Golok, Narathiwat province, during the regional Golok FA Cup. The match was being played in heavy rain when a sudden lightning bolt struck the field, sending several players collapsing to the ground.

Police identified the player as Sofwan Awae, a winger who had recently signed for Thai third-tier club Yala FC. Emergency responders attempted to revive him on the pitch before rushing him to hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Warning: video shows graphic footage.

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. pic.twitter.com/sAMlQMrj92

— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) August 6, 2026

Authorities said 12 players, including a Malaysian footballer, sustained injuries and were taken for treatment.

Footage of the incident has gone viral on social media, prompting renewed concerns about safety measures for outdoor sports during severe weather.