Soccer Player Dies After Being Hit By Lightning During Game

An Indonesian soccer player tragically died after getting hit by lightning during a friendly match in West Java.

On Saturday, 35-year-old Septain Raharja was playing in a soccer game between 2 FLO FC Bandung and FBI Subang at the Siliwangi Stadium in Bandung, West Java in Indonesia, when he got struck by lightning at around 4:20 p.m. local time.

According to Daily Mail's English translation of PRFM News' report, Raharja was still breathing after he collapsed. He was rushed to the hospital but died soon after due to intense burns.

The tragic incident was captured on video, which has since been shared on X, formerly Twitter. The video showed the exact moment Raharja got hit by lightning.

Netizens quickly extended their condolences to the soccer player's family on the social media platform.

"[It's] too young for the footballer to leave. Good Indonesian athlete, rest in peace," wrote one netizen.

"That's really tragic news. My thoughts go out to the footballer's family and teammates during this difficult time," someone else stated.

"May God comfort his family," commented another.

Football Boots Indonesia also took to Instagram to share a tribute to Raharja.

"To Allah, we belong and to Him we shall return. Condolences on the passing of our friend Septian Raharja from @fbi_subang," the account wrote.

"May the deceased receive all his good deeds and [be] forgive[n] all his sins by the Almighty God. And may the family and friends left behind be given sincerity and patience."

Interestingly, this was the second time a soccer player got hit by lighting in Indonesia. Last year, a player from Bojonegoro, East Java, was struck by lightning during the Soeratin U-13 Cup.

The player suffered cardiac arrest and was quickly transported to the Ibnu Sina Hospital in Bojonegoro for medical treatment.

Fortunately, doctors managed to revive him. He regained consciousness after around 20 minutes, per the Daily Mail.

Meanwhile, in Brazil, a massive lightning bolt struck a soccer pitch during a cup game in December 2023, resulting in one death and six injuries, per The Sun.

One of the six victims, 21-year-old Caio Henrique de Lima Goncalves, was rushed to the hospital but died soon after.

Goncalves was playing for the Uniao Jaiirense team against Unidos in an amateur cup at the Jose Eleuterio da Silva stadium when the tragic incident happened.