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Nine other people were injured in the strike, including a Malaysian player.
A football match in Thailand’s Narathiwat province ended in tragedy after lightning struck the pitch during heavy monsoon rain, killing one player and injuring nine others. (IMAGE: X)
What began as a routine regional football match in southern Thailand ended in tragedy on Wednesday after a bolt of lightning struck the pitch during play, killing one footballer and injuring nine others.
The incident occurred during the Golok Cup tournament at Santiphap Stadium in Narathiwat province, where players continued the match despite heavy monsoon rain.
Videos circulating on social media captured the terrifying moment lightning struck the field, sending players, match officials and spectators running for cover.
🇹🇭 TERRIFYING: In Narathiwat, Thailand, a footballer was killed by a lightning strike… during the match.12 other players were reportedly injured.
A game becomes a nightmare in the blink of an eye…
Writer: Samuelpic.twitter.com/K2aLt00UgA
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) August 5, 2026
Police identified the deceased as 24-year-old Thai footballer Safwan Awae, who was rushed to hospital but succumbed to his injuries despite efforts to save him.
Nine other people were injured in the strike, including a Malaysian player. Several victims sustained burns, police said. The match was abandoned immediately after the incident.
Thailand experiences frequent thunderstorms during the annual monsoon season, and authorities routinely advise organisers to suspend outdoor sporting events when lightning is detected. The incident has renewed attention on safety protocols during severe weather.
About the Author
Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a chief sub editor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over seven years of experience during which he has …Read More
Bangkok, Thailand
August 06, 2026, 17:47 IST
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