A lightning strike during a monsoon storm killed footballer Safwan Awae, 24, and injured 12 others during a match in Thailand on August 4, 2026. The incident occurred at the Santiphap Stadium in Narathiwat province, southern Thailand, during the Golok Cup regional tournament.
Video footage shows lightning striking the ground near players on the field during the downpour. Awae, who had recently signed for FC Yala of the Thai League 3 Southern Region, was directly hit and tragically died despite efforts to revive him. Police chief Thun Sirikhunt confirmed Awae's death, stating, "Although the emergency medical team made every effort to save him, the victim succumbed to severe injuries sustained in the incident."
Of the 12 injured players, 22-year-old Malaysian footballer Alif Ezzahan Zulkifli was among those who suffered burns. Spectators rushed onto the field to provide medical attention before emergency services arrived and transported the injured to the hospital.
FC Yala posted a tribute on Facebook, writing, “Indeed, we belong to Allah, and indeed, to Him we will return. Condolences to the family of Safwan Awae, the new player of FC Yala.”