A 24-year-old soccer player was killed and 12 others injured when a bolt of lightning slammed into a field during a match in Thailand, sending players collapsing to the ground as horrified spectators watched.
Safwan Awae was competing for SAMCOLTS against Abu x Nong Sirin in a regional cup game at Santiphap Stadium in Thailand’s Narathiwat province when the deadly strike hit.
Terrifying video from the match reportedly shows the game unfolding normally before a blinding flash and deafening explosion erupt on the pitch.
Players and team members immediately rushed to Awae’s side and desperately tried to revive him before he was taken to Sungai Kolok Hospital.
Despite their efforts, he later died from his injuries.
Police said Awae suffered the most serious injuries, while 12 other people were also hurt. One of the injured players was identified as 22-year-old Alif Ezzahan Zulkifli.
The tragedy came just days after Awae appeared to take a major step forward in his promising soccer career. Only one week earlier, he had signed with Thai League 3 club Yala FC.
The team later posted an emotional tribute to the young athlete.
“More than a football player, but a family,” the club wrote in Thai on social media, offering prayers and condolences following his death.
Those who knew Awae described him as a quiet, respectful young man who devoted his life to sports.
“He was a quiet, well-mannered guy who didn’t talk much,” members of Yala FC said. “He was an athlete — a football player — and a good kid.”
They added that Awae did not spend his time partying and instead focused on training, exercising and building his athletic career.
The club said it was working to raise money for Awae’s grieving parents and planned to organize a friendly match between Yala FC and Narathiwat FC to help support the family.
“We want to express our deepest condolences to his family, and offer them our moral support,” the team said.
The horrifying accident has left Thailand’s soccer community mourning a young player whose career was only beginning.