Lightning Kills Footballer In Indonesia

The football world suffered a fatal blow on Saturday, February 10 after lightning struck and killed a footballer on the pitch during a match played in Indonesia

Reports, which identified the player as 35-year-old Septain Raharja, said he collapsed tragically after the flash of lightning struck him.

According to the reports, Raharja was playing in a friendly between 2 FLO FC Bandung and FBI Subang when a bolt of lightning struck him at Siliwangi Stadium in Bandung, West Java.

The 35-year-old was reportedly still breathing after the incident on Saturday afternoon, according to PRFM News. However, he died later in a local hospital after suffering intense burns

Already, a video clip of the lightning strike has gone viral on social media, with many offering their condolences.

Available information indicates that the incident has sent shockwaves around the world with many fans as well as local players and coaches in Singapore mourning the death of the footballer.

However, this is not the first time that such type of incident has happened in the country. Coincidentally, almost 12 months ago, a similar incident occurred at the very same stadium, as a young football player residing in Bojonegoro, East Java, too, was struck by lightning.

The occasion of the incident was the Soeratin U-13 Cup in 2023, and soon after the horrific incident, the young footballer suffered a cardiac arrest and was immediately, without unnecessary delays, rushed to the Ibnu Sina Hospital in Bojonegoro.

Upon the medical treatment received, the U-13 footballer was revived and successfully recovered consciousness from what could have been a potentially fatal blow.

Also, there are reports of a similar incident in Brazil, where a 21-year-old footballer by the name of Caio Hemrique met the same fate in 2023. He could not recover from the injuries and died later in the hospital.

Meanwhile, several Indonesian teams have since taken a moment of silence in memory of Septain, who was from Subang. Before FBI Mageland and Erka played against one another, both sets of players bowed their heads to commemorate and honour their fellow footballer. For now, more tributes have continued to pour in for the 35-year-old.

Incidentally, an analysis of the lightning strike from Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency stated that the cloud the lightning came from was just 300m above the stadium when it struck.