Peruvian Footballer Joao Contreras Survives Being Struck by Lightning

Peruvian footballer Joao Contreras was struck by lightning during a football match in his homeland—and has miraculously survived the impact.

The Sport Aguila player, aged just 21, was playing Union Fuerza Minera in the Copa Peru. His side was looking to overcome a 6-3 deficit from the first leg.

The game was hit by a storm, and as lightning descended overhead, Contreras was struck directly.

In the video footage, you can see the plume of smoke go up where he is standing before a crowd of players and staff gather around to assist him.

Understandably, there was huge concern, with Eurosport reporting that some on Twitter—including the team's official account—were already paying their respects to Contreras, believing him to be dead.

Remarkably, though, he has survived, with The Guardian reporting:

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However, Peruvian news agencies have since revealed that, while he has suffered second-degree burns, he is in a stable condition and recovering in hospital. A Peruvian newspaper celebrated Contreras’s remarkable survival with the banner: 'Man stronger than nature.'

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The Guardian noted that an assistant referee was also struck, and the match was suspended with the score 1-1. Several fans and the referee were treated for shock but are reported to be fine.

[Eurosport, The Guardian]