2 Football players killed in lightning strike during match in Jharkhand

2 men were killed after being struck by lightning while playing football in Jharkhand's West Singhbhum district, police said on Friday.

The victims were identified as Sahil Raj Samad (32) and Ponderam Samad (25). The incident occurred on Wednesday evening in the Toklo area when a group of youths was playing football as rain and thunderstorms lashed the region.

According to police, the two men were hit by lightning during the match. They were initially taken to a nearby school premises before being rushed to the Community Health Centre in Kuchai, located in the neighbouring Seraikela-Kharswan district. Doctors declared both of them dead on arrival.

Toklo Police Station Officer-in-Charge Ankit Kumar confirmed the incident, adding that no formal complaint has been lodged by the victims' families so far.

The tragedy comes amid the monsoon season, when lightning strikes become more frequent across several parts of eastern India. Authorities have repeatedly urged people to avoid open fields and outdoor activities during thunderstorms.