A video of a lightning strike killing a player named Jose Hugo de la Cruz and leaving several others injured mid-game has gone viral across social media, find out more below
The shocking event took place at the Coto Coto stadium in Chicha, Peru, during a match between Juventud Bellavista and Familia Chocca.
The footage of the event went viral on social media, garnering all kinds of tributes and reactions from netizens.
Peru footballer Jose Hugo de la Cruz dies after lightning strikes him during football match, video goes viral
A shocking incident took place at the Coto Coto stadium in Chicha, Peru, during a match between Juventud Bellavista and Familia Chocca. A lightning strike killed a 34-year-old defender named Jose Hugo De la Cruz Meza and left four other players injured. Officials had earlier interrupted the game due to the presence of an electrical storm.
Goalkeeper Juan Chocca Llacta, 40, also received a direct strike and was rushed to hospital in a taxi with serious burns to his body and the other casualties, two teenagers aged 16 and 19 and a 24-year-old, were said to be in a stable condition.
As a result, the players left the field in the 22nd minute to protect themselves from any danger of electric shock. However, not just 10 seconds after the game got stopped, a lightning bolt struck the pitch leading to chaos. Following the incident, emergency services arrived to the scene and took the injured players to a nearby hospital. He was eventually declared as dead in the hospital. Juventud Bellavista won the match 2-0, after it was initially abandoned during the 22nd minute due to the lightning strike. The recent incident has led to calls for enhanced security protocols at all kinds of sporting events.
🚨🇵🇪LIGHTNING STRIKES SOCCER MATCH IN PERU
Jose Hugo de la Cruz Meza, 39, was killed instantly, and 5 players were injured during a regional tournament in Chilca.
Goalkeeper Juan Chocca Llacta, 40, also received a direct strike and was rushed to hospital in a taxi with serious… pic.twitter.com/7zdnwAoc8c
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) November 4, 2024
Several players injured
The incident has left at least eight players injured, including the seriously-injured goalie Juan Chocca Llacta. Juan is currently in serious condition owing to the severe burns from the lightning strike. The 40-year-old received a direct strike before getting rushed to hospital in a taxi. Aside from him, the other casualties, included two teenagers around the age of just 16 and 19 years old. A 24-year-old named Cristian Cesar Pituy Cahuana also suffered injuries. The three players are reportedly in a “stable” condition in hospital as of yesterday.
Jose Hugo de la Cruz Meza, 39, was killed instantly, and 5 players were injured during a regional tournament in Chilca Peru.
Goalkeeper Juan Chocca Llacta, 40, also received a direct strike and was rushed to hospital in a taxi with serious burns to his body.
The other… pic.twitter.com/4TnzGWgL8e
— Thomas MORE (@ThomaMore) November 4, 2024
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