A footballer has been killed and several more injured after being hit by lightning during a football match in Peru. Jose Hugo de la Cruz Meza, 39, died on Sunday just moments after the referee had ordered a game to be stopped following a huge rumbling of thunder around the stadium.

Goalkeeper Juan Chocca Llacta, 40, was also directly struck and was reportedly rushed to hospital to receive emergency treatment.

Three other players, including two teenagers, were said to be 'stable' after also being hospitalised after the incident.

The tragedy came during a regional tournament in Chilca, with Juventud Bellavista playing against local rivals Familia Chocca. In footage since released on social media, De la Cruz Meza and several players were shown going to ground as soon the lightning struck.

He was taken to hospital and was duly pronounced dead, having been killed just seconds after falling. Overall, seven more players were reported to have been injured in the ordeal.

Juventud Bellavista were winning 2-0 with just 22 minutes played. The game was abandoned shortly after the lightning though, with the officials taking all unharmed players back into the changing rooms.

It's the second time such an occurrence is known to have happened at a football game in 2024. In February, Septain Raharja, 35, died after being struck by lightning during a match between FLO FC Bandung and FBI Subang in Indonesia.

And the latest tragedy has led to calls online for better security at sporting events in high-altitude areas. The game took place in the city of Huancayo, which is 10,659 feet above sea level.

Engineer Lucho Duarte wrote: "This terrible incident reminds us of the importance of protection against lightning, especially in open-air events. We need to implement protective systems in sports installations and security protocols involving the immediate suspension of activities during storms."

Many others were also left questioning the organisation of local tournaments, where there are no guarantees of safety against inclement weather. Last year, many football games in the country were scuppered after two months of heavy downpours that caused landslides.

A number of fans also paid tribute to De la Cruz Meza on social media. Furthermore, there were messages of support for the players still being treated for their injuries.