BANDUNG — Indonesian football is in mourning after Septian Raharja, a 35-year-old player with Football Boots Indonesia (FBI) Subang, lost his life after being struck by lightning during a match last Saturday (Feb 10).

The incident unfolded at the Siliwangi Stadium in Bandung, West Java during a friendly match with 2 Flo Football Club Bandung.

A widely-shared video captured the shocking moment lightning hits Septian, causing him to collapse on the pitch, while another nearby player falls from the impact of the strike.

An eyewitness, identified only as GJ, recounted the overcast sky and warm conditions during the match to Indonesia news Kompas.

GJ, who was playing in the opposing team, described severe burns that turned Septian's legs red and a scar on his chest.

Another eyewitness told online news portal detikcom that the player's cleats had caught fire.

Septian's jersey was also torn, due to the intensity of the lightning's impact, local news PRFMnews said.

Footage showed Septian’s teammates rushing to his aid while other players evacuated from the spot hit by lightning.

Septian, who was still breathing when he was struck at 3.30pm, succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the Sariningsih Hospital just over a kilometre away, reported local media.

The news sparked an outpouring of grief and condolences. 

Septian's former team, FBI Subang, paid tribute on Instagram on Saturday, sharing photos of him both solo and with the team, along with a rose emoji and the date of his passing.

Former Indonesian national team striker, Cristian Gonzales, joined the comments section mourning Septian's loss in the tribute post.

2 Flo Football Club Bandung also expressed condolences for the departed player on Instagram last Sunday.

Another team affiliated with the FBI, from the regency of Magelang, observed a moment of silence in his honour.

Similar tragedy occurred nearly two decades ago in Singapore when Jiang Tao, an 18-year-old player from the now-defunct Chinese S-League club Sinchi FC, lost his life after being struck by lightning during a training session at the now-demolished Jurong Stadium in March 2004.