Featured Image Credit: @githii via X
Topics: Football
Chris Byfield
Topics: Football
A footballer has died after being struck by lightning during a game in Indonesia on Saturday.
Content warning: This article contains graphic imagery and details of the aforementioned incident.
The freak incident, which saw Septain Raharja struck by a lightning bolt before collapsing on the Siliwangi Stadium turf has been captured in a chilling video that has gone viral across social media.
The 35-year-old, who was from Subang, Java, was taking part in a friendly match between 2 FLO FC Bandung and FBI Subang.
Local media outlet PRFM News claimed that Raharja was still breathing after the incident and swiftly rushed to hospital, but was pronounced dead shortly afterwards.
The publication alleged, via The Sun, that the player’s jersey was torn from the lightning strike. Witnesses are said to have reported the weather as cloudy and rainy before the lightning strike.
The tragic incident is the second time an Indonesian footballer has been struck by lightning in the past year.
During the Soeratin Under-13 Cup in 2023, a young footballer in Bojonegoro, East Java was also struck by lightning.
The youngster subsequently suffered a cardiac arrest and was rushed off the pitch and taken to the Ibnu Sina Hospital in Bojonegoro for medical treatment.
He was successfully revived after medical assistance and regained consciousness after around 20 minutes.
That year also saw a 21-year-old Brazilian footballer stuck by lightning while on the pitch.
Caio Henrique de Lima Goncalves was playing for his Uniao Jaiirense team in a cup fixture in Parana when he was jolted by the lightning strike.
He was rushed to hospital after collapsing on the pitch, but he later died of his injuries.
Six other players have been stuck by a lightning bold on the pitch and spent time in hospital.