12 October 2023 , 07:00
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It's been 25 years to the month since a freak blast of lightning tragically wiped out an entire football team while they were playing a game in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Central Africa. Back in October 1998, Bena Tshadi were drawing 1-1 with visitors Basanga in the Kasaï province when a bolt from the sky struck them.
Local reports at the time said 11 people, both players and spectators, lost their lives to the direct strike, while a further 30 at the game received burns. The daily newspaper L'Avenir, in Kinshasa, reported at the time: "Lightning killed at a stroke 11 young people aged between 20 and 35 years during a football match."
While athletes from Bena Tshadi sadly died, players from their opposing team, Basanga, "curiously came out of this catastrophe unscathed". It sparked accusations of witchcraft around the region, as many teams across central and western Africa are highly superstitious and employ the services of witch doctors. The newspaper added: "The exact nature of the lightning has divided the population in this region which is known for its use of fetishes in football." Reports of the incident were never officially confirmed, as much of the area was affected by civil war.
It's not the only time lightning has struck a football match, with many horrific and heartbreaking tales going down in history. Just this month, two people - including a 13-year-old boy - were directly struck during a football game. The youngster was hit in the chest while playing in a district tournament at The Sele School in Hertford. A spokesperson for the East of England Ambulance Service said: "The child was then to Addenbrooke's Hospital in a critical condition and the man was taken to Princess Alexandra hospital for further care." Two days after the incident, the child's condition was described as 'serious but stable'.
In May 2021, nine-year-old Liverpool fan Jordan Banks tragically died after being struck by lightning while playing on a football field in Blackpool for Clifton Rangers Junior Football Club. The youngster was taken to hospital but died a short time later. Liverpool players later paid tribute to the young fan by warming up before their next match in T-shirt with his name on. The FC tweeted at the time: "You'll Never Walk Alone, Jordan Banks. Nicknamed 'mini-Milner' by his coaches, Jordan was a brilliant person, as well as a passionate footballer. We're all thinking of his loved ones tonight."
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