Soccer player killed by lightning strike during match in Peru

One player was killed and four others were injured on Sunday when a lightning bolt occurred during a local league soccer match in central Peru.

At Coto Coto stadium in the town of Chilca, some 70 kilometers southeast of Lima, players were seen leaving the field after the game was halted due to a storm, according to video footage.

Lightning struck the field, causing some players to fall face first on the ground. Onda Deportiva Huancavelic, the local TV station, broadcast a quick spark and a tiny puff of smoke near one of the players.

A couple players seemed to have trouble getting back up a few seconds later.

The deceased player was identified by authorities and state media as defender Hugo De La Cruz, 39, following the incident in the 22nd minute of the match between local teams Juventud Bellavista and Familia Chocca.

According to state news agency Andina, two players had been released from the hospital as of Monday night, while two more were still being watched. According to the report, a goalie hurt in the incident was in critical condition but had made progress.

The department of Junín, the regional government, has not responded to the occurrence.

Humans can sustain serious injuries from lightning strikes, and in rare instances, they can even be killed.