A regional football match in southern Thailand ended in tragedy on Tuesday (August 4) after 24-year-old Sofwan Awae lost his life when lightning struck the field during play. The incident, which occurred in Sungai Golok in Narathiwat province, also left 12 other players injured.
Police said the accident took place at around 5:30 pm local time as stormy weather lashed the area during the semi-final of the Golok FA Cup at Santiphap Stadium. Despite the adverse conditions, the match was underway when a lightning strike hit the pitch.
According to local reports, Awae sustained severe injuries from the strike. First responders and medical personnel immediately attempted to resuscitate him before transporting him to a nearby hospital, where doctors later confirmed his death.
“Although the emergency medical team made every effort to save him, the victim succumbed to severe injuries sustained in the incident,” Sungai Golok police chief Col. Thun Sirikhunt told Bernama, the Malaysian state news agency.
Videos circulating widely on social media captured the horrifying moment, showing a powerful flash of lightning followed by a deafening blast. Several players were seen collapsing to the ground instantly as panic spread across the stadium.
Players, officials and supporters rushed onto the field to help the injured while emergency services were called to the scene.
Awae, a winger by trade, had only recently completed a move to Thai League 3 side Yala FC, joining the club just days before the fatal incident.
“We extend our condolences to the family of our new FC Yala player, Sofwan Awae,” stated the club in a Facebook post. It opens with the Quran verse usually quoted in such cases: “Indeed, we belong to Allah, and indeed, to Him we will return.”
The Football Association of Thailand also offered condolences to Awae’s family and to the club.
– Ends
