New Delhi: A soccer match in Peru turned lethal for one of the players as lightning struck the pitch when the match was in progress. The video of the incident has surfaced on social media, leaving the netizens shocked. The tragedy occurred on Sunday in the Peruvian city of Huancayo, during the match between two clubs in Peru named Juventud Bellavista and Familia Chocca.
The lightning strike left the other players injured. As per the viral post on social media, a heavy downpour forced the referee to ask the players to walk off the field. As the players headed towards the pavilion, the lightning struck the 39-year-old soccer player Jose Hugo de la Cruz Mesa, who reportedly passed away on the spot. Other players sustained serious burns and were taken to the hospital.
In the video, it can be seen that the players are walking off the field and the lightning suddenly strikes the footballer, leaving the match referee beside him injured. The impact of the lightning was such that all the players fell on the ground at the same time which can be seen in the shocking video. The lightning particularly struck the 39-year-old player which left him motionless on the field.
Watch the video here –
In Peru, a soccer player died after being struck by lightning during a match
The tragedy occurred on November 3 during a match between clubs Juventud Bellavista and Familia Chocca, held in the Peruvian city of Huancayo.
During the game, a heavy downpour began and the referee… pic.twitter.com/yOqMUmkxaJ
— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) November 4, 2024
Other injured players
Meanwhile, the other players could be seen moving while lying on the pitch, which confirms that they didn’t reach the fatal end like their teammates. An instance of this gravity is quite rare as soccer matches usually progress despite the rain intervening in the game. It must have been something significant that the referee decided to stop the game and asked the players to leave the field.
While defender Jose Hugo de la Cruz Mesa has died, the likes of Joshep Gustavo Pariona Chocca, Cristian César Pituy Cahuana, and Erick Estiven Ccente Cuyllor are under critical observation after sustaining electric shocks. The local press has reported that goalkeeper Juan Chocca Llacta remains in critical condition. The match was reportedly called off by approximately 4 pm.
