Yala FC winger Safwan Awae died on Tuesday after a lightning strike hit the pitch during a cup football match in Thailand, injuring over nine others. The 24-year-old player suffered fatal injuries during the incident at Santiphap Stadium in the Su-ngai Kolok district of Narathiwat province.
Heavy rainfall was falling during the match when lightning struck the grass, causing several players to collapse instantly, according to reporting by e.vnexpress.net. Paramedics transported the injured players to the hospital for emergency medical treatment. Thai PBS World reported that Awae sustained the most severe injuries and died despite efforts by medical staff to save him.
A video of the incident shared online by Visegrád 24 showed the moment lightning struck the pitch, noting that 12 others sustained injuries during the match.
Match Incident and Club Reaction
Following the tragedy, Yala FC issued an official statement on Facebook expressing deep condolences to the family of Awae, who had signed with the club on July 29. A club delegation led by Yala FC director Nimit Phumiprasert, alongside Niyuma Durama, Don Havang, and Sabri Eiso, visited the player's home to offer support.
The club board, coaching staff, players, and management expressed their deepest sympathies to the family of Safwan Awae (Ing), noting that he was the third of eight siblings and died in a natural disaster. The club added that members united in prayer asking Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) for mercy, forgiveness, and Paradise for Awae, as well as strength for his family and relatives.
Tributes and Career History
The Football Association of Thailand also released an official statement, saying the governing body shared the grief of the family, friends, and club during this difficult period.
Before joining Yala FC, the winger was widely recognized as a key player for Pattani FC. He scored seven goals in 18 matches to help Pattani FC earn promotion to Thai League 2 for the 2025-2026 season.
