A tragic incident occurred in Peru when a soccer player was struck by lightning and tragically died during a match.
Juventud Bellavista and Familia Choca played at the Coto Coto Stadium in Chachapoyas, Peru, in the Junín region on Sunday.
The match was suspended in the 23rd minute of the first half due to heavy rain. As players headed toward the locker rooms, a powerful lightning strike hit, causing eight players to collapse. Footage of the incident, which quickly spread on social media, captured the moment of impact, showing players falling to the ground.
José Hugo de la Cruz Mesa, a defender, was struck by lightning and rushed to the hospital but later died from his injuries. Four other players were injured in the incident, with three of them stabilizing. However, goalkeeper Juan Choca reportedly suffered severe burns and remains in critical condition.
A local civil defense official from the Junín region suggested that Mesa’s metal bracelet may have acted as a conductor, drawing the lightning strike.
The region, located at an elevation of approximately 10,662 feet, is known for frequent lightning storms and this tragedy has sparked calls for better lightning protection measures at sports venues.
Global Mourning: Player Safety Under Scrutiny
Spanish media outlet Marca reported on the incident, stating, “This event highlights how human power is no match for nature. Humanity cannot control nature, and this was tragically proven in Peru.”
The report noted that the incident had prompted widespread mourning throughout Peru and raised serious concerns about player safety and the decision to proceed with the match despite dangerous weather conditions.
The British tabloid Mirror also covered the tragedy, noting the outpouring of condolences from the Peruvian soccer community for Mesa’s family and the injured players and well wishes for their recovery.
Sadly, this is not the first such incident. In February, a defender from the Indonesian third-division club, Persikab Subang, was also killed after being struck by lightning during a match.
In December 2023, a similar tragedy occurred in Brazil when lightning struck a field during an amateur tournament in Santo Antonio da Platina, Paraná. The strike killed one player and seriously injured five others.
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