Four female soccer players have died after being struck by lightning in Colombia, according to reports.
The tragic incident — which also claimed the life of another man — occurred as a thunderstorm broke out during a women’s soccer game in the village of El Real, Casas Bajas, in the municipality of Cajibío, Colombia, on Sunday, Feb, 9, local newspaper Cauca Hoy and U.K. outlet National Worldreported. The women were sheltering from the storm under a tree.
Government spokesman Lesly Valencia said, per National World, “The women were participating in a football tournament when the emergency occurred. A lightning bolt struck a tree and that was what caused the death of the four women.”
The victims were identified as Jeidy Daneisy Morales, Daniela Yinet Mosquera, Luz Eneida Lame, and Etelvina Mosquera who came from Piedras Negras, according to the outlets.
A man identified as Jhorman Mosquera was also injured in the incident and subsequently died in San José de Popayán hospital. Two other women suffered “serious burns” and were transported to the hospital, according to the outlets.
The four women had been taking part in a soccer game.
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Giovanny Mosquera, president of the Piedras Negras action board, said the women had been playing in a soccer championship organized by the administration of Cajibo which takes place every Sunday, Cauca Hoy reported.
According to the outlet, Mosquera indicated that the sky “was cloudy” though it didn’t rain during the game.
The mayor of the municipality, Diana Carolina Cabanillas, said she “regretted” the tragedy, per Cauca Hoy.
A friend of one of the victims posted online, “What sad news. Rest in peace Daniela” in tribute, per National World.
