Frequent Lightning Strikes in Brazil
17 Million Lightning Bolts Recorded in January-February Last Year
An amateur soccer player in Brazil died after being struck by lightning during a match.
According to Brazilian media outlet G1 on the 11th (local time), lightning struck the field during an amateur league soccer match in Santo Antonio da Platina, Paran? state, in the southern region, the previous afternoon.
As a result, five players immediately collapsed on the spot. Among them, a 21-year-old man was in critical condition and was taken to the hospital but eventually passed away. The other four are currently receiving treatment.
The mayor of Santo Antonio da Platina and the soccer team to which the deceased player belonged reportedly paid tribute to the deceased through social media (SNS).
Beware of Lightning in Brazil
Meanwhile, Brazil is one of the countries where lightning strikes frequently occur. According to data from the Atmospheric Electricity Research Institute under the National Institute for Space Research (INPE) of Brazil, 17 million lightning strikes were observed in just January and February last year. This is about a 30% increase compared to 13.2 million strikes during the same period in 2021.
In January 2014, the famous giant statue of Christ in Rio de Janeiro was struck by lightning, damaging two fingers and the head part. In 2015, lightning struck a military unit guarding the Brazilian presidential residence, injuring 31 soldiers.
There have also been numerous fatalities due to lightning accidents in Brazil. According to INPE, from 2000 to 2019, 2,194 residents in Brazil lost their lives due to lightning strikes. This means that over 100 residents died each year from lightning strikes. Among the deceased, farmers accounted for the highest proportion at 26%. This indicates that many people died after being struck by lightning while working in rice paddies or fields.
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