In a tragic incident during a regional football tournament in Chilca, Peru, one player has been killed and at least five others injured after a lightning strike hit the pitch on Sunday afternoon.
The incident occurred at approximately 4 PM local time during a match between Juventud Bellavista and Familia Chocca. As thunder and lightning threatened the area, the referee called for a brief suspension of the game. However, as players began to leave the field, lightning struck, causing five players and a man, who is believed to be either a goalkeeper or a member of the support staff, to collapse.
Witnesses reported hearing a loud sound resembling a gunshot, followed by a flash of light. Jose Hugo de la Cruz Meza, 39, was pronounced dead at the scene due to the lightning strike.
Goalkeeper Juan Chocca Llacta sustained serious burns and was transported to a hospital for treatment. Cristian Cesar Pituy, 24, is currently stable, along with two unnamed teenagers aged 16 and 19 who were also injured. The match was subsequently abandoned following the incident.
The head of the Civil Defense department in Chilca indicated that De la Cruz was wearing a metal bracelet, which may have attracted the lightning strike.
Lucho Duarte, a Peruvian engineer, emphasized the need for improved safety measures, 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 facilities and security protocols for the immediate suspension of activities during storms.”
Key Points:
- Lightning Strike Incident: One footballer, Jose Hugo de la Cruz Meza, was killed, and five others were injured when lightning struck a football pitch in Chilca, Peru, during a regional tournament.
- Match Suspension: The referee had called for a temporary halt to the match due to thunder and lightning, but lightning struck as players were leaving the field.
- Injuries Reported: Goalkeeper Juan Chocca Llacta suffered serious burns and was hospitalized. Cristian Cesar Pituy, 24, is stable, along with two teenagers aged 16 and 19 who were also injured.
- Fatalities Linked to Jewelry: Officials indicated that De la Cruz’s metal bracelet may have attracted the lightning, leading to his death.
- Calls for Safety Measures: Experts stress the need for enhanced safety protocols during outdoor events to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
