What was supposed to be an eventful game for a soccer player turned into a complete tragedy. An athlete in Indonesia met an untimely demise after being struck by lightning during a match. The unfortunate incident occurred at the Siliwangi Stadium on a fateful Saturday.
Septain Raharja, a 35-year-old player representing FBI Subang in a friendly match, collapsed suddenly after being struck by a lightning bolt. The terrifying moment was witnessed by his teammates and others present at the stadium, who immediately rushed to his aid.
Despite suffering severe burns, Raharja was still breathing after the strike and was quickly transported to a local hospital. However, the hopes of his recovery were dashed as he tragically succumbed to his injuries, according to a local report. The soccer community mourned the loss of Raharja, with several teams paying tribute to him. A moment of silence was observed, and heartfelt condolences poured in on his team’s Instagram page, including a message from renowned soccer player Cristian Gonzalez.
خلال مباراة كرة قدم أقيمت في إندونيسيا يوم أمس ضربت صاعقة عنيفة أحد اللاعبين.
الصاعقة كانت قوية جداً لدرجة أن اللاعب توفي على الفور. #خبرني pic.twitter.com/GWcRWRlpYJ— خبرني Khaberni (@khaberni) February 11, 2024
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As shocking as this may seem, this incident is not the first of its kind in Indonesia. In 2023, a young soccer player was also struck by lightning during a match in Bojonegoro, East Java. The player, participating in an under-13s cup match, experienced a cardiac arrest after being hit just ten minutes into the game. Prompt medical attention and resuscitation efforts at Ibnu Sina Hospital in Bojonegoro led to the boy’s survival. After approximately 20 minutes, he regained consciousness, as reported by BNN Breaking.
Indonesia’s unique geology and tropical location make it prone to frequent lightning strikes. In fact, according to Statista, the country recorded the highest lightning rates in the world in 2022, with a staggering 76.5 million lightning events. To put this into perspective, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that around 40 million lightning strikes hit the ground in the United States each year.
The prevalence of lightning strikes in Indonesia highlights the need for increased awareness and safety measures, especially during outdoor activities like sports. While it is impossible to control or predict natural phenomena, precautions can be taken to minimize the risks associated with lightning strikes. Fans online have been encouraging sports organizations and authorities to consider implementing lightning safety protocols, such as monitoring weather conditions, suspending games during thunderstorms, and providing lightning shelters for players and spectators.
Additionally, educating athletes, coaches, and spectators about the dangers of lightning and the appropriate safety measures to follow is crucial. This can include seeking shelter indoors or in vehicles, avoiding open fields and tall objects, and waiting at least 30 minutes after the last observed lightning strike before resuming activities.
Furthermore, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) explains that lightning occurs when there are positive and negative charges within clouds or in the air.
“In the early stages of development, air acts as an insulator between the positive and negative charges in the cloud and between the cloud and the ground,” the NOAA said. “When the opposite charges build up enough, this insulating capacity of the air breaks down and there is a rapid discharge of electricity that we know as lightning. The flash of lightning temporarily equalizes the charged regions in the atmosphere until the opposite charges build up again.”
The tragic loss of Septain Raharja serves as a somber reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of prioritizing safety in all aspects.