Peruvian footballer killed after lightning strike during match, five others injured in tragic incident

Tragedy struck in Peru when a match between Juventud Bellavista and Familia Chocca turned fatal after a lightning strike claimed the life of 34-year-old defender Hugo de la Cruz, authorities confirmed.

The match was played in the city of Chilca in the province of Huancayo, located at high altitude in the Peruvian Andes and about 70 km southeast of the capital Lima. While lightning strikes and storms are common in the South American mountains, the casualty during a football match represents a huge tragedy.

Video from the event shows the Coto Coto Stadium in Chilca being struck by lightning, sending eight players to the ground. Play was stopped after the initial strikes, with the players leaving the field, but a repeated lightning strike caused the unfortunate incident.

Along with Chocca defender de la Cruz, four other players were injured, with De la Cruz reportedly succumbing to his injuries and dying on the way to hospital. According to studies from the American Center for Disease Control (CDC), a rough estimate is that 90% of people struck by lightning survive the encounter.

‘I felt a flash of light…’

Authorities in Huancayo released a statement on the case, sadly confirming that de la Cruz had taken his life after the harrowing incident. “We join in our solidarity and express our sincere condolences to the family of the young Hugo De La Cruz, who, after being struck by lightning, unfortunately lost his life while being taken to hospital,” a statement said .

“We also extend our support and wishes for a speedy recovery to the other four players injured in this tragic accident,” the message continued. Local news agency Andina confirmed that two of the four players were later released from hospital, but two remain under treatment, including goalkeeper Juan Chocca, who was reportedly in critical condition but fortunately showing signs of recovery.

“I was just walking outside while Hugo was hugging. I took three steps after I let go of him, and lightning struck us,” Chocca told local news La Republica after the incident. “I felt a flash of light; I felt it reach my head, and my mind went white.”