Safwan Awae, a player of the Yala FC team, died in Thailand after being struck by lightning during a friendly match.

On Tuesday, in the province of Narathiwat in Thailand, 24-year-old footballer Safwan Awae died after being struck by lightning during a friendly match with his team, Yala FC, in the third league. The incident occurred during a torrential rain, and several players were injured. A teammate attempted to provide first aid, and amateur footage captured the moment of the tragedy. The Football Association of Thailand expressed condolences to the family and the club. Safwan Awae had recently signed a contract with Yala FC after contributing to the promotion of Pattani FC in Thai League 2. This tragedy highlights the need to adhere to safety measures during sporting events held in extreme weather conditions, reminding of the interruption of matches during the 2026 World Cup due to storms.