An Indonesian footballer named Septain Raharja, from Subang, was struck by lightning during a friendly match at Siliwangi Stadium in Bandung, West Java, on Saturday. The 35-year-old collapsed after the incident and despite being rushed to a local hospital, tragically passed away soon after, as reported by Indonesia’s PRFM News.
The incident, captured in a viral video, occurred during a match between 2 FLO FC Bandung and FBI Subang, with Raharja being struck around 4:20 pm local time. Several Indonesian teams observed a moment of silence in his memory following the incident.
According to Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), the lightning originated from a cloud just 300m above the stadium.
This is not the first time such a tragic event has occurred in Indonesia. In 2023, a youngster in Bojonegoro, East Java, was struck by lightning during the Soeratin U-13 Cup. He suffered a cardiac arrest but was revived after 20 minutes of treatment.
The football pitch has witnessed other shocking incidents, including the recent death of Ivory Coast footballer Moustapha Sylla in March 2023, highlighting the inherent risks in the sport. Similar incidents have also been reported in Indian clubs and junior football leagues.
