24 years old Footballer Dies After Being Struck by Lightning During a Match

A football match in southern Thailand ended in tragedy after a 24-year-old player was killed when lightning struck the pitch, leaving 12 other players injured in a terrifying incident witnessed by teammates and spectators.

The victim, Sofwan Awae, suffered critical injuries when lightning hit Santiphap Stadium in Sungai Golok on August 4 during a Golok FA Cup fixture between SAMCOLTS and Abu x Nong Sirin.

Despite frantic efforts by fellow players and emergency medical personnel to save his life, Awae was later pronounced dead.

Dramatic videos circulating on social media captured the frightening moment a lightning bolt flashed across the stadium before a deafening explosion echoed around the ground. Several players immediately collapsed, while teammates wearing SAMCOLTS’ black-and-white striped kit rushed to Awae’s aid.

They turned him onto his back and began administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) as stunned players and officials looked on, hoping he would recover before paramedics arrived.

Police confirmed that 12 other players, including a Malaysian national, sustained injuries in the incident and were taken to hospital for treatment.

Awae, who played as a winger for SAMCOLTS, had recently completed a move to Thai third-tier side Yala FC, making the tragedy even more heartbreaking for those who knew him.

Paying tribute to the young footballer, Yala FC expressed its sorrow in a statement, saying: “We extend our deepest condolences to the family of our new FC Yala player, Sofwan Awae.”

The incident has sent shockwaves through Thailand’s football community, with many fans and fellow players mourning the loss of a promising talent whose career was cut short by a devastating natural disaster