A Peruvian soccer player was killed and several more on the field were injured after lightning struck during a match over the weekend. And in the wake of the tragedy, some are calling for enhanced safety protocols.
The incident occurred during a regional tournament between two local teams, Juventud Bellavista and Familia Chocca, in the Chilca district of the Huancayo province. Defender Jose Hugo de la Cruz Meza, 39, was killed, while goalkeeper Juan Chocca Llacta, 40, was hit with a direct strike and was rushed to a local hospital with severe burns. A total of eight players were knocked to the ground with three others, aged 16, 19, and 24, also injured but in stable condition.
The match was only 22 minutes in when the game was declared over, with Juventud Bellavista ahead by 2–0 at the time.
According to The Telegraph, officials believe that De La Cruz Meza may have attracted the lightning due to a metal bracelet he was wearing at the time. "It was like a magnet," said Cesar Ramos, head of civil defense in the region. Scorch marks were reportedly later photographed on the field near where the players were hit.
Warning, the footage may be disturbing to some viewers:
(1/4) ⚡️ Tragedia en Chilca, Huancayo: Un rayo cobró la vida de un jugador de fútbol y dejó heridos a otros cinco durante un partido. Mis condolencias a las familias afectadas. ???? #Huancayo #Chilca #Rayos pic.twitter.com/Wu3FqotNK4
— Lucho Duarte (@luchitobass) November 4, 2024
In the wake of the tragedy, there have been calls for better security efforts, particularly in high-altitude places such as Huancayo where the capital city is 10,659 feet above sea level. Just earlier this year, another 35-year-old soccer player was killed after being stuck during a match in Indonesian.
Engineer Lucho Duarte, who captured the footage and posted it online, spoke out about the need for better safety measures in a series of social media posts.
"This unfortunate event reminds us of the importance of lightning protection, especially at outdoor events," Duarte wrote. "Implement lightning rod systems in sports facilities. Establish safety protocols with suspension of activities in the event of storms. Educate the population about protection measures."
"As professionals, we must promote a culture of prevention and ensure safety in open spaces," he added.
