A tragic incident during a Peruvian soccer match on Sunday claimed the life of a player when lightning struck the field, leaving several others injured.

The shocking event occurred at Coto Coto stadium in Chilca, where Juventud Bellavista faced Familia Chocca.

The game was halted during the first half due to a storm warning, but as players and referees were walking off the field, lightning struck, sending at least eight players crashing to the ground.

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Among those affected, 39-year-old defender Jose Hugo de la Cruz Meza was hit directly by the lightning and did not survive.

Goalkeeper Juan Chocca Llacta, 40, was taken to a nearby hospital with severe burns, while two teenagers and a 24-year-old man also sustained injuries.

The injured players are reported to be in stable condition.

🚨🇵🇪LIGHTNING STRIKES SOCCER MATCH IN PERU

Jose Hugo de la Cruz Meza, 39, was killed instantly, and 5 players were injured during a regional tournament in Chilca.

Goalkeeper Juan Chocca Llacta, 40, also received a direct strike and was rushed to hospital in a taxi with serious… pic.twitter.com/7zdnwAoc8c

— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) November 4, 2024

According to officials, De La Cruz Meza may have been more vulnerable to the fatal strike due to a metallic bracelet he was wearing.

Cesar Ramos, head of the region’s civil defense, stated, “It was like a magnet,” referring to the potential impact the bracelet might have had in attracting the lightning.

The aftermath of the strike left scorch marks on the field near where the players were hit, capturing the intensity of the incident.

The game was canceled immediately following the strike, which occurred with Juventud Bellavista in the lead at 2-1.

This is not the first time lightning has struck during a game in this high-altitude region.

Around a decade ago, a similar lightning strike left 21-year-old player Joao Contreras hospitalized with second-degree burns.

These repeated incidents have led local advocates to call for enhanced safety protocols.

Lucho Duarte, an engineer and witness who recorded footage of the strike, has urged for improved protection measures, including installing lightning rods at outdoor sports venues.

Duarte emphasized the importance of such precautions, stating, “This terrible incident reminds us of the importance of protection against lightning, especially in open-air events. We need to implement protective systems in sports installations and security protocols involving the immediate suspension of activities during storms.”

The tragic loss of De La Cruz Meza has sparked further discussions about the risks faced by athletes in regions susceptible to lightning strikes, highlighting a need for stricter safety measures to protect players in adverse weather conditions.