A tragic incident unfolded as a 24-year-old individual lost their life due to an unexpected lightning strike while participating in a football match. The fatal lightning strike occurred during a game between Thai and Malaysian teams at Santiphap Stadium in Sungai Golok during the Golo FA Cup 2026 semi-final in Thailand. Despite immediate medical attention, the victim could not survive the severe injuries sustained from the incident.
A distressing video shared on social media captured the moment when lightning hit the field during a spirited soccer match played in the rain, leading to a dramatic explosion. The footage shows Sofwan Awae, a 24-year-old player wearing a black-and-white striped jersey, lying motionless on the ground before being attended to by teammates and other individuals present at the scene.
Authorities, including Sungai Golok police chief Thun Sirikhunt, confirmed the tragic outcome, stating that despite the best efforts of the emergency medical team, the victim succumbed to the injuries sustained during the lightning strike. Reports indicate that several players collapsed, with 12 individuals sustaining injuries during the incident.
Awae, identified as a winger for SAMCOLTS, had recently joined the Thai third-division club Yala FC. Among those injured was 22-year-old Malaysian footballer Alif Ezzahan Zulkifli, who received medical treatment following the incident.