Footballer, 39, dies following lightning strike on pitch in Peru

A lightning strike during a Nov. 3 match in Peru left a 39-year-old footballer dead and four others injured.

The local tournament match between Juventud Bellavista and Familia Chocca in Huancayo province on Sunday was halted when lightning first struck.

A second bolt hit players as they began leaving the field, it was reported.

In Peru, a soccer player died after being struck by lightning during a match

The tragedy occurred on November 3 during a match between clubs Juventud Bellavista and Familia Chocca, held in the Peruvian city of Huancayo.

During the game, a heavy downpour began and the referee… pic.twitter.com/yOqMUmkxaJ

— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) November 4, 2024

Video footage showed football players walking on the pitch in the 22nd minute of the game.

A bright flash and loud sound was heard.

A small explosion was seen and one of the players was engulfed in smoke.

All eight players could be seen falling over at the same time.

Players further away could be seen running away.

Some of the players then struggled to get to their feet.

A spot on the ground where the lightning appears to have struck produced a visible dent.

Others injured

One of the injured was a goalkeeper, who was treated for serious burns.

Three other players, aged 14, 16 and 24, are hospitalised and in stable condition.

The player who died, a defender for the home side, was identified as Hugo De La Cruz.

The local municipality issued a statement, which said that De La Cruz lost his life while being taken to the hospital after being struck by lightning, according to CNN.

The game was being played at Coto Coto stadium in the town of Chilca, about 70km south-east of the Peruvian capital Lima.

Top photo via Nexta/ X