Safwan Awae: Footballer Killed As Lightning Strikes During Match in Thailand
During a regional tournament match in Narathiwat, Thailand, 24-year-old FC Yala footballer Safwan Awae was killed by a lightning strike amidst a monsoon downpour. Twelve others, including a Malaysian player, sustained burn injuries. Authorities later confirmed that Safwan had succumbed to his injuries.
A 24-year-old footballer, Safwan Awae, was killed, and 12 other players were injured after lightning struck a football pitch during a regional tournament match in southern Thailand. The tragic incident occurred amidst a heavy monsoon downpour at the Santiphap Stadium in Narathiwat province's Sungai Golok district.
Incident During Tournament Match
The match was part of the regional Golok FA Cup tournament. As heavy rain swept across the venue, players were caught on the field during the stormy conditions. Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodriguez's AI Indian Wedding Video Goes Viral.
Footballer Killed As Lightning Strikes During Match
THIS is the terrifying moment a bolt of lightning strikes a football pitch, killing one Thai player and injuring 12 others during a match in Thailand.
Shocking footage shows two teams playing through a fierce monsoon before a blinding flash suddenly lights up the pitch.
A huge… pic.twitter.com/sewiuQJjVn
— NYC News 24 🗞️ (@NYCNews24) August 5, 2026
Amateur video footage captured the moment a sudden bolt of lightning struck the ground directly next to where players were running, producing a bright flash and a plume of smoke. Player Safwan Awae, 24, was struck directly by the bolt and collapsed onto the turf, reports news.com.au. Spectators and teammates rushed to his aid to provide first aid and attempt resuscitation before emergency services arrived.
Footballer Safwan Awae Killed Due to Lightning
Safwan Awae, a player of a Thai League 3 club, has tragically 𝐏𝐀𝐒𝐒𝐄𝐃 𝐀𝐖𝐀𝐘 after being struck by lightning while playing a game in the Kolok FA Cup in Thailand. 💔
Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family & friends. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/Rkc11bLflp
— CentreGoals. (@centregoals) August 5, 2026
Casualties and Official Response
Paramedics provided immediate medical treatment at the scene before transporting the victims to the hospital. Authorities later confirmed that Safwan had succumbed to his injuries. Sungai Golok police chief Colonel Thun Sirikhunt confirmed the casualties, noting that 12 others sustained burns and injuries from the strike. The injured individuals include 22-year-old Malaysian footballer Alif Ezzahan Zulkifli. “Although the emergency medical team made every effort to save him, the victim succumbed to severe injuries sustained in the incident,” said Thun.
Tributes and Club Background
Safwan Awae was a winger who had recently signed with FC Yala, a club competing in the Thai League 3 Southern Region, after previously playing for Pattani FC. FC Yala shared a statement on social media offering condolences to his loved ones: "Indeed, we belong to Allah, and indeed, to Him we will return. Condolences to the family of Safwan Awae, the new player of FC Yala.”
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 05, 2026 08:49 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
