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On Sunday afternoon, lightning struck a football game in Peru, killing one player and injuring several others.

Footballer instantly killed after lightning struck him on the pitch (VIDEO) | Pulse Ghana

Mandela Anuvabe

<a data-link-role-code="open_new_tab" href="https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/31485308/footballer-killed-lightning-strike-match-peru/">According to the Sun</a>, 39-year-old Jose Hugo de la Cruz Meza died instantly and several other players were injured when the lightning struck the pitch.&nbsp;

The unfortunate incident happened shortly after <a data-link-role-code="open_new_tab" href="https://www.pulse.com.gh/sports/football/video-referee-2-assistants-run-for-their-lives-as-soldiers-of-military-team-chase/wkl8e8j">the referee</a> had stopped play because of the approaching storm.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The game was a local match between Juventud Bellavista and Familia Chocca in the central Peruvian town of Huancayo.&nbsp;

Among those who were directly struck was goalie Juan Chocca Llacta, who is reportedly suffering from severe burns at the Daniel Alcides Carrion Regional Hospital.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The 40-year-old was quickly rushed to the hospital with the other players who got hit by the lightning.&nbsp;

<div class="embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">LIGHTNING STRIKE KILLS DURING SOCCER GAME IN PERU. 😲‼️<a href="https://t.co/u9Ll6r1Sk9">pic.twitter.com/u9Ll6r1Sk9</a>&mdash; DramaAlert (@DramaAlert) <a href="https://twitter.com/DramaAlert/status/1853438412327415926?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 4, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

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A 24-year-old man named Cristian Cesar Pituy Cahuana and two teenagers, ages 14 and 16, were also brought to the hospital and are reportedly in a "stable condition."&nbsp;

A video circulating on social media seems to show the defender leaving the field with the two teams as the storm grew stronger at the Coto Coto stadium in Chilca.&nbsp;

Following the incident, the 2-0 match was immediately called off after about eight players were struck by lightning and slumped to the ground.&nbsp;&nbsp;

According to AP, Cesar Ramos, the area's Civil Defense manager, asserted that De La Cruz Meza's metal bracelet was the reason for his death.&nbsp;

The official said, “It was like a magnet.”&nbsp;

<a data-link-role-code="open_new_tab" href="https://www.pulse.com.gh/sports/football/ex-arsenal-player-and-nigeria-star-drops-new-song-social-media-tell-him-focus-on/byyd9m5">Social media</a> tributes expressed sympathy for the player's family and the team, but they also urged more safety precautions.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The stadium is located in a high-altitude location where lightning strikes are common.

The main city of the Huancaya region is 10,659 feet above sea level. As a result, some commentators advocated for more lightning rods at football stadiums.&nbsp;&nbsp;

There have been similar unfortunate incidents in football in the last year.&nbsp;

Footballer instantly killed after lightning struck him on the pitch (VIDEO)

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