In a tragic incident on the football field, a lightning strike killed one player and injured five others during a match in Peru. The deceased player has been identified as 39-year-old Jose Hugo de la Cruz Meza.
Witnesses report that Meza was struck directly by the lightning bolt, causing him to fall face-first to the ground, where he was pronounced dead instantly.
Among the injured is 40-year-old goalkeeper Juan Chocca Llacta, who was transported to the hospital with severe burns. Three others, including two teenagers aged 16 and 19, and 24-year-old Cristian Cesar Pituy Cahuana, sustained injuries but were reported to be in stable condition, according to a report by Mirror.
Lightning fatalities in football: A troubling pattern
This incident follows a similar tragedy in Indonesia earlier this year, where a footballer was struck by lightning during a friendly match between 2 FLO FC Bandung and FBI Subang.
In February, 35-year-old Septain Raharja from Subang was struck on the field at Siliwangi Stadium in Bandung, West Java. Captured on video, the shocking moment showed Raharja collapsing instantly. Local media outlet PRFM News reported that while Raharja was initially found to be breathing, he succumbed to his injuries shortly afterward in the hospital.
This event marks the second lightning-related death of an Indonesian footballer within the past year. In 2023, a young player in Bojonegoro, East Java, was also struck during the Soeratin U-13 Cup. The repeated occurrences have raised concerns about player safety during inclement weather.
Recent cases highlight global concerns
Tragically, the list of such incidents extends beyond Southeast Asia and South America. In 2023, a 21-year-old Brazilian footballer was also struck by lightning on the pitch, underscoring the risks posed to athletes worldwide when thunderstorms intersect with outdoor sports. These recent lightning strikes have prompted renewed calls for heightened safety protocols on the field, particularly in regions prone to severe weather.