Tragedy as lightning kills Peruvian footballer, injures others during live match

A tragic incident unfolded during a local league soccer match in central Peru when lightning struck the field, killing one player and injuring four others.

The match, held at Coto Coto Stadium in the town of Chilca, southeast of Lima, had paused due to stormy weather before the lightning hit.

Footage captured by Onda Deportiva Huancavelic showed players leaving the field when a lightning bolt suddenly struck, causing several players to collapse face-first. A spark and small cloud of smoke appeared near defender Hugo De La Cruz, 39, who was later identified as the deceased player. The fatal incident occurred 22 minutes into the game between local teams Juventud Bellavista and Familia Chocca.

The local municipality expressed condolences to De La Cruz’s family and wished a swift recovery to the injured players. By Monday, two players had been discharged, while two others, including a critically injured goalkeeper, remained hospitalized but had shown signs of improvement.

This rare and tragic lightning strike highlights the potential dangers of outdoor sports during storms.

Though nearly 90% of lightning strike victims survive, the injuries can be severe and lasting, including symptoms like seizures and memory loss.