A 35-year-old soccer player from Subang was fatally struck by lightning during a soccer match in Bandung, West Java, Indonesia. The incident occurred at the Siliwangi Stadium during a game between 2 FLO FC Bandung and FBI Subang around 4:20 pm local time on Saturday, February 10.
The moment Septain Raharja collapsed was recorded and rapidly spread across social media platforms, eliciting a wave of condolences and concern from the soccer community and beyond. Though still breathing after he was struck, and despite immediate medical intervention, Raharja succumbed to intense burns at a local hospital.
This incident has reignited discussions on the vital importance of weather awareness and adherence to safety guidelines in sports. FIFA’s guidelines, for instance, recommend suspending play under threatening weather conditions to protect players and officials, a standard that may lead to a reevaluation of safety protocols in light of this tragedy.
In tribute to Raharja, several Indonesian soccer teams observed moments of silence, with players from FBI Mageland and Erka bowing their heads in memory of the fallen athlete before their match.
Investigations by Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency revealed that the lightning originated from a cloud around 984 feet above the stadium.
Raharja’s death is not an isolated incident in Indonesia. In 2023, a young player in Bojonegoro, East Java, also suffered a lightning strike during the Soeratin U-13 Cup. Fortunately, this player survived after experiencing cardiac arrest and regaining consciousness 20 minutes later.
The global soccer community has witnessed similar tragedies, including the 2023 death of 21-year-old Brazilian player Caio Henrique de Lima Goncalves, who was struck by lightning during a match in Parana, Brazil. That incident also led to the hospitalization of six other players.
