An Indonesian footballer, Septian Raharja, lost his life after being struck by lightning during a friendly match between FC Bandung and FBI Subang on Saturday, February 10.
A video circulating on social media captured the horrifying moment when the 35-year-old collapsed on the pitch after the lightning bolt hit him.
Despite initial efforts to rush him to a local hospital, Raharja succumbed to severe burns sustained during the incident, local reports said.
Online Tribute
The video sparked shock and condolences on social media, with football fans and players expressing their grief.
Many emphasized the importance of monitoring weather conditions during outdoor activities, especially in areas that are prone to lightning.
Some pointed out the need for safety measures during thunderstorms, highlighting the perilous nature of lightning hazards to individuals engaged in open-field sports.
“This happened during a football match in Indonesia,” wrote Githii an X user while sharing a video of the incident.
The clip shows the player on the pitch when suddenly he is struck by lightning. Instantly, he falls to the ground.
Other players rush towards the footballer to help him.
Also read: Ghanaian Footballer Atsu Found Alive in Quake Rubble
Indonesian teams paid tribute to Raharja, observing a moment of silence in his memory.
”That’s awful and condolences. In my referee days I always kept an eye on the weather, it’s in the FIFA manual I believe. For exactly this reason. Don’t know if that was possible here or if there was a ref. This video will make its way to FIFA and ref associations everywhere.” wrote Electric Chowder, an X user.
How lightning kills
According to the US National Weather Service when a person is struck directly by lightning, as in the case of the footballer, it means they become part of the main lightning discharge channel.
This type of lightning strike occurs when the victim is in an open space. Although rare, it is the deadliest form of lightning strike.
A portion of the electrical current moves along and just over the skin’s surface (known as flashover) and another part moves through the body, typically through the cardiovascular and or nervous systems.
Similar lightening football incidences
Notably, this is not the first-time an Indonesian footballer has been struck by lightning during a match.
Last year, a teenage footballer experienced a cardiac arrest after being struck during the Soeratin U-13 Cup in Bojonegoro, East Java.
Fortunately, doctors successfully saved the teenager 20 minutes after the lightning strike, emphasizing the unpredictable and life-threatening nature of such incidents.
Also read: Busia: Student Hospitalized After Lightning Strike
A similar tragedy occurred in Brazil in December 2023, where a 21-year-old footballer lost his life, and six others were injured due to a lightning strike during a match.
