Football player dies on pitch after being hit by lightning in Indonesia, spine-chilling video sends shockwaves across the globe

A video recorded from the stands captured the moment the player, alone on the field, was hit by lightning during a football match in Indonesia.

Atishay Jain

• Tue • 13 Feb 2024

Tragic incident of football player hit by lightning in Indonesia was recorded on camera.

Highlights:

A tragic incident occurred when a 35-year-old player from 2 FLO FC Bandung was fatally struck by lightning.

This marks the second lightning-related fatality in Indonesian football within a year.

Shock and tragedy struck Indonesian football once again as a 35-year-old player from 2 FLO FC Bandung met a fatal end after being struck by lightning during a friendly match against FBI Subang. Captured in a harrowing video from February 12, the player was seen being hit by a lightning bolt, alone on the pitch, marking a devastating moment for sports in Indonesia.

Ghastly incident terrifies football community

This heart-wrenching incident is the second time in a year that lightning has claimed the life of a football player in Indonesia, raising alarm over the dangers athletes face from nature itself. Despite initial survival, the player from the recent match tragically lost his life to the injuries sustained, mirroring a previous event in Bojonegoro, East Java, where a young player died under similar circumstances during the Soeratin U-13 Cup in 2023.

Time for stricter rules for inclement weather conditions

These back-to-back lightning fatalities have ignited urgent calls for strengthened safety measures in outdoor sports, spotlighting the grave risks posed by sudden weather changes. The game that witnessed the latest tragedy shockingly began under clear skies, only for the weather to turn lethal without warning.

Around the world, the responsibility falls on referees to halt games amid dangerous weather, yet these incidents prompt a reevaluation of safety standards. In 2020, the Netherlands took a stand for player safety by cancelling all football matches due to high winds, as announced by the Royal Netherlands Football Association after careful deliberation with clubs and authorities. The suspension impacted major teams like Ajax, AZ Alkmaar, and Feyenoord, emphasizing the priority of safety over sport.

These stark reminders of nature's unpredictability and its perilous impact on outdoor sports underscore an urgent need for comprehensive safety protocols, ensuring the well-being of athletes against the caprices of weather.

MORE ON SPORTS TAK:

Sikandar Raza claims 'IPL is much better than PSL' and reveals 2 big reasons behind what makes India's franchise league 'biggest on the planet'
IND vs ENG: After KL Rahul gets ruled out from 3rd Test against England, injured Ravindra Jadeja drops huge hint on his availability