Thai Footballer Safwan Awae Dies After Lightning Strikes Pitch During Match
Thai footballer Safwan Awae, 24, has died after lightning struck the pitch during a Golok FA Cup match at Santiphap Stadium in Narathiwat, southern Thailand. The Yala FC winger was playing in heavy rain and stormy conditions on August 4, 2026, when the strike hit the field. Video from the stadium showed several players collapsing as people nearby rushed to help. At least 12 other players were injured, including Malaysian footballer Alif Ezzahan Zulkifli. Some of the injured players were taken to hospital for treatment. Yala FC and football authorities have expressed condolences to Awae's family, describing his death as a painful loss to the football community.
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