In brief
A local soccer game turned fatal when lightning struck during play in Huancayo, Peru, resulting in the death of a player and hospitalizations of others. José Hugo De la Cruz Meza, a member of C.D. Juventud Bellavista, was fatally struck while leaving the field as players sought shelter from an intensifying storm.
The game between C.D. Juventud Bellavista and U.D. Familia Chocca was paused due to adverse weather conditions. As players exited the field, a sudden lightning strike caused a devastating flash that knocked multiple players to the ground. José De la Cruz Meza did not survive the emergency medical efforts after arriving at a local hospital. Reports detail that four additional players sustained injuries but have since been released. One injured player, Juan Chocca—De la Cruz Meza's brother-in-law—spoke about the incident, recalling the moment the strike occurred shortly after they embraced and parted ways. “I took three steps after letting go of him, and the lightning struck us,” he recounted. This tragic event serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers associated with playing sports outdoors during inclement weather, particularly with the threat of lightning present. Local authorities and sports organizations may be prompted to reevaluate safety protocols for outdoor events to prevent such disasters in the future.
