Lightning Strikes Football Match in Peru, 1 Player Killed and 4 Injured

Chica, Beritasatu.com – A lightning strike killed a soccer player and injured four others during a regional competition match in Peru, Sunday (3/11/2024).

The incident occurred at the Coto Coto Stadium in Chicha, Peru, where clubs Juventud Bellavista and Familia Chocca faced each other as part of a regional tournament.

The match had to be stopped due to an electrical storm which caused the players to leave the field to protect themselves from the danger of electric shock.

However, not even 10 seconds after play was stopped in the 22nd minute, a lightning bolt struck the pitch and hit 34-year-old defender Jose Hugo De la Cruz Meza, who died instantly.

In addition to De La Cruz’s death, four other players were injured, requiring the presence of emergency services, which took the injured to the nearest hospital.

Juan Chocca Llacta, one of the injured players close to De La Cruz, remains in serious condition due to severe burns he suffered in the incident.

The image went viral in Peru via social media, causing an uproar and questions regarding the holding of the local tournament, where there is no guarantee of safety against natural phenomena.