A heavy downpour accompanied by lightning struck a group of footballers and their referee in Issele-Azagba, Aniocha North local government area of Delta State, leaving two dead and 10 injured.
The tragic event occurred on Tuesday, as the footballers were engaged in a match when the lightning struck. “It was like a scene from a horror movie,” said an eyewitness. “The lightning came out of nowhere, and before we knew it, two of the players were lying motionless on the ground.”
The deceased were identified as 22-year-old Chijioke Ogbonna and 25-year-old Emeka Ogbu. The injured players were rushed to the nearby hospital, where they are receiving treatment.
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This incident is not the first of its kind in the area. In 2019, a similar incident occurred, where lightning struck a group of students during a school sports event, injuring several of them.
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The community is still reeling from the shock of the tragedy, with many calling for measures to be put in place to prevent such incidents in the future. “This is a wake-up call for us to ensure that our sports facilities are equipped with proper lightning protection systems,” said the Chairman of the local government council.
The families of the deceased have been offered condolences, and the injured players are receiving medical attention. The incident serves as a reminder of the dangers of lightning strikes and the need for adequate safety measures in public spaces.
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