Defender Hugo de la Cruz was fatally struck on the field, while goalkeeper Juan Choca Yakta remains in intensive care, fighting for his life. Three other players were also injured in the incident but are reportedly in stable condition.
The match had started as scheduled, despite storm warnings, with players and spectators alike focused on the intense competition. However, as lightning began to flash across the sky, the game carried on—a decision that would prove devastating moments later.
Witnesses described the harrowing scene, with players and fans scrambling for safety as lightning struck the field. The tragic event has since raised questions about safety protocols and the decision to proceed with the match despite visible signs of danger.
Watch the shocking video here:
Reader Comments
Most lightning victims do not die from direct impact, but from electric currents caused by the high differential voltage they bridge with their legs.
The lightning creates a voltage of several dozens to hundreds of kV at the impact location. And this creates a voltage differential near the impact site, dropping at a nearly exponential rate (depending on ground conditions). The current is mostly defined by the difference in potential between the two (or more) contact points, i.e. legs.
Here an image to demonstate this : [Link]
Obviously, you don't really need a tree ...
[Link]
This is caused by the heated and ionized air the lightning passes through, which causes a rapid increase in pressure and expansion along the lightning's path.
Which is the basically the same thing happening during an explosion or detonation.