One killed, 4 injured after lightning strike players during football match in Peru

A lightning strike killed one player and injured four others during a lower-tier league match between Juventud Bellavista and Familia Chocca at Coto Coto Stadium in Peru on Sunday, November 3, 2025.

Footage of the incident, captured through the broadcast of local TV station Onda Deportiva Huancavelica, showed the players walking off the pitch after the game had been halted due to stormy weather.

While on their way off the field, the lightning struck, hitting two players directly, Jose Hugo de la Cruz Meza and goalkeeper Juan Chocca Llacta. The rest fell flat due to the force of the strike.

De la Cruz died instantly, while Llacta was sent to the hospital via taxi, with five players sustaining injuries.

Among the injured players were two teenagers, a 16-year-old and a 19-year-old.

“We join in solidarity and extend our sincere condolences to the family of young Hugo De La Cruz, who, after being struck by lightning, unfortunately lost his life while being taken to the hospital. We also express our support and wishes for a speedy recovery to the other four players injured in this tragic accident,” the local municipality said in a statement quoted by CNN.

Peruvian national news channel Andina has confirmed that two of the four injured players have been discharged, while the remaining two are in stable condition but remain under observation.

The last time such an unusual incident was recorded was in 2020, when a 16-year-old Russian goalkeeper was struck during a training session. He survived the horrible occurrence and fully recovered after receiving strict treatment, including being put in a coma.

🚨🇵🇪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