SHAH ALAM, Aug 5 — A Malaysian was among 12 players injured after lightning struck the pitch at Santiphap Stadium in Sungai Golok shortly after the semi-final of the Golok FA Cup football tournament ended yesterday evening.
The incident also claimed the life of a Thai footballer.
Sungai Golok police chief Colonel Thun Sirikhunt said the incident occurred at about 5.30 pm local time shortly after the semi-final match between SAMCOLTS and Abu x Nong Sirin, as heavy rain lashed the stadium.
"The incident resulted in one fatality and left 12 others injured.
"Police officers were immediately dispatched to the scene to assist the injured, while a doctor conducted a post-mortem examination on the deceased," he was quoted as saying by Berita Harian.
Thun said the injured Malaysian player was identified as Mohammad Alif Ezzahan Zulkifli, who was representing SAMCOLTS, a combined team comprising players from Malaysia and Thailand.
He said Kelantan FC was the Malaysian team participating in the tournament, while the other victims included players from the local football community.
The deceased was identified as Safwan Awe, a winger for Yala FC in Thailand.
Thun said police would continue investigations and take further action in accordance with legal procedures.
"All injured victims were taken to Sungai Golok Hospital for treatment," he said.
