Soccer Player Loses His Life as Lightning Strike During Local Match in Peru
A lightning strike claimed the life of a soccer player and injured several others during a local match in Chilca, Peru, on November 3, 2024 (Sunday).
The game, part of a community tournament, featured the Familia Chocca and Juventud Bellavista teams at Coto Coto Stadium. The afternoon match was ongoing when dark storm clouds gathered, forcing the referee to stop the game around the 22nd minute due to a sudden thunderstorm.
As players slowly began to leave the field, a lightning bolt unexpectedly struck, instantly taking the life of 39-year-old defender Hugo de la Cruz Meza.
The horrifying incident was captured in footage that showed players collapsing to the ground as lightning struck. De la Cruz Meza, who had been wearing a metal bracelet, may have attracted the deadly bolt.
Several players fell from the impact, and among them was goalkeeper Juan Chocca Llacta, who suffered critical burns and was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital. In addition, two teenagers and a young man in their twenties were treated for injuries, but their condition has since stabilized.
The incident shows scorch marks on the field where the lightning hit, and the tragedy has affected the community, leaving families and fans in shock and mourning. The local soccer league quickly canceled the remainder of the game, which had initially been suspended with Juventud Bellavista leading 2-1.
The incident has raised concerns about the safety of outdoor sporting events in high-altitude regions like Chilca, where lightning strikes are a known risk. Experts are urging local authorities to install lightning rods at sports venues and establish stricter protocols to protect players during inclement weather.
In another post, a teenage boy & man injured after being struck by lightning in Cebu City
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