A Peruvian footballer has died after being struck by lightning during a match.

José Hugo de la Cruz Meza was playing a televised match between Juventud Bellavista and Familia Chocca in the central region of Peru on Sunday, November 3, when the defender was struck and killed instantly, according to The telegraph.

De la Cruz Meza was 39 years old.

The match was suspended due to bad weather moments before the lightning strike, which was caught on camera.

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Juan Chocca LlactaA goalkeeper who was in close proximity to de la Cruz Meza, was also injured and is being treated for serious burns at a local hospital.

Peruvian authorities believe de la Cruz Meza may have been struck because of a metal bracelet he wore on the field.

“It was like a magnet,” said Cesar Ramos, head of civil protection in the region. The telegraph.

Three other people – aged 24, 16 and 14 – were also taken to hospital where they remain in stable condition.

In the video, eight players can be seen immediately falling to the ground when the light hits. The uninjured individuals were then seen running off the field to safety.

Once the weather cleared, burn marks were visible on the ground where de la Cruz Meza had been hit. The remainder of the match was immediately canceled.

There have long been concerns about playing soccer in Huancayo, the high-altitude location of the match. In 2014, the light struck a 21-year-old João Contreras in the middle of a match, leaving him with second-degree burns. Contreras ultimately survived.

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Lucho Duartéa Peruvian engineer, has called for new safety measures to be introduced following the latest tragic incident.

“This unfortunate event reminds us of the importance of lightning protection, especially during outdoor events,” Duarte wrote. via on Sunday.

In addition to implementing “lightning rod systems in sports facilities,” Duarte said it was essential “to educate the population on protective measures.”

“As professionals, we must promote a culture of prevention and guarantee safety in open spaces. #Responsibility #NoMoreTragedies,” concluded Duarte.