Lightning strike during football match in Thailand kills one player, injures 12

BANGKOK, Thailand — A Taiwanese football player died and 12 others were injured after lightning struck a football pitch in Thailand during a tournament match played in severe weather, officials said. Safwan Uai, a winger and forward, was taken to hospital in critical condition but later died of his injuries. The incident occurred during a tournament featuring local and amateur teams from Thailand and Malaysia. Eyewitness video captured the moment the lightning struck the pitch. The 12 injured players suffered burns to different parts of their bodies and were receiving medical treatment, officials said. FC Yala Club, which competes in Thailand's third division, confirmed the death of Uai, who was from Taiwan. The incident comes during the May-to-October monsoon season across Southeast Asia, a period that regularly brings thunderstorms and flash floods to the region.