A tragic and shocking lightning accident occurred in Peru on Sunday.
Lightning struck the Coto Coto Stadium in the Chiucca region of Huancayo, central Peru, during a match between local soccer teams Juventud Bellavista and Familia Choca. One player was killed, and several others were injured.
The tragic incident happened just after the referee halted the game as it began to rain. In this accident, Jose Hugo de la Cruz Mesa, a defender for the local team Juventud Bellavista, lost his life. Mesa reportedly died instantly when the lightning struck the stadium.
When the incident occurred, Mesa attempted to leave the field with his teammates. He was taken to the hospital but was pronounced dead.
Other players were also affected. The goalkeeper, Juan Chocca Llacta, sustained severe burns and is currently being treated at Daniel Alcides Carrion Regional Hospital.
Cristian César Pituy Cahuana and two unidentified teenagers, ages 14 and 16, were also taken to the hospital. Fortunately, their conditions are reported to be stable.
Footage of the incident, which has since circulated on social media, shows eight players collapsing on the field as the lightning struck.
César Ramos, a civil defense official from the Huancayo region, suggested that Mesa’s metal bracelet may have acted as a conductor, potentially attracting the lightning.
This area, located at an altitude of 3,250 meters (10,662 feet), is known for frequent lightning strikes. The incident has sparked calls for protective measures against lightning in sports venues.
In the aftermath of the incident, players expressed concerns about the stadium’s lack of adequate lightning protection. They emphasized the need for lightning prevention systems at sports venues and the implementation of safety protocols to halt matches immediately during severe weather to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.
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