Thailand winger Sofwan Awae killed by lightning during Golok FA Cup semi-final

Sofwan Awae, a 24-year-old winger, was killed when lightning struck the pitch during the semi-final of the Golok FA Cup at Santiphap Stadium in Sungai Golok, Narathiwat province, on Tuesday (August 4). The strike also injured 12 other players.

The incident occurred at around 5:30 pm local time as stormy weather lashed the area and the match was underway despite the adverse conditions. The fixture was the semi-final of the regional Golok FA Cup.

First responders and medical personnel immediately attempted to resuscitate Awae before transporting him to a nearby hospital, where doctors later confirmed his death. Sungai Golok police chief Col. Thun Sirikhunt told Bernama: "Although the emergency medical team made every effort to save him, the victim succumbed to severe injuries sustained in the incident."

Videos circulating on social media captured a powerful flash of lightning followed by a deafening blast, with several players collapsing on the field and panic spreading through the stadium. Players, officials and supporters rushed onto the pitch to assist the injured while emergency services were called to the scene; media posts including a Daily Loud tweet reported that a player was killed and 12 others were injured.

Awae, described as a winger, had completed a move to Thai League 3 side Yala FC just days before the incident. In a Facebook post the club said: "We extend our condolences to the family of our new FC Yala player, Sofwan Awae," and opened the message with the Quran verse: "Indeed, we belong to Allah, and indeed, to Him we will return."

The Football Association of Thailand also offered condolences to Awae's family and to the club; the fatal strike took place during the semi-final of the Golok FA Cup at Santiphap Stadium.