The moment a footballer was struck and killed by lightning during a match
Tragedy struck a local Peruvian football match on Sunday as a lightning bolt hit the pitch, killing 39-year-old defender Jose Hugo de la Cruz Meza and injuring several others.
The incident occurred at the Coto Coto stadium in Chilca, Huancayo, during a game between Juventud Bellavista and Familia Chocca.
The match was broadcast live but was suspended after 22 minutes due to worsening storm conditions. Moments after the players began to exit the field, a powerful lightning strike hit, fatally wounding Mr de la Cruz Meza.
Goalkeeper Juan Chocca Llacta was also seriously injured and is currently receiving treatment for burns at a local hospital.
Authorities believe that a metal bracelet Mr de la Cruz Meza was wearing may have drawn the lightning. "It was like a magnet," said Cesar Ramos, head of civil defence for the region.
The lightning struck around 4 pm local time, and footage shows players dropping to the ground instantly following a flash of light. Unscathed teammates and match officials rushed to the sidelines as those affected lay on the field in visible pain. Photos from the scene later revealed scorch marks on the pitch, close to where the players were standing.
Three other spectators, including two teenagers, were also hospitalised but are now in a stable condition.
The fatal incident has heightened concerns over player safety in the high-altitude region of Huancayo, where lightning strikes are frequent. Engineer Lucho Duarte, who captured the event on video, urged for stricter safety protocols, suggesting games be postponed during storms and stadiums equipped with lightning rod systems.
This is not the first instance of a lightning strike affecting a football match in the area; in 2014, 21-year-old local player Joao Contreras survived a similar strike but suffered second-degree burns. The tragic death of Mr de la Cruz Meza has sparked calls for better protective measures in Peru’s footballing venues, particularly in areas prone to extreme weather events.
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