Lightning strikes football pitch during match and leaves 18 in hospital

A lightning strike at a Japanese university has sent 18 people to hospital, with two in serious condition.

The freak accident happened at a field in Miyazaki City around 2.30pm, according to local authorities, during a practice match between Hosho High School and Pengsho High School.

Early reports seemed to indicate two of the players entered cardiac arrest after the freak accident, with 16 others still hospitalised.

A male employee of a nearby gym told NHK: ‘Around 2:40 p.m., I heard a loud thud that sounded like something was exploding.’

A thunderstorm warning had been in place when the accident happened. Japan’s Meteorological Agency said ‘unstable’ atmospheric conditions are expected to remain in the area until tomorrow.

The freak accident came hours after a 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck Taiwan, triggering tsunami warnings across much of Japan.

Big bolts of lightning were seen across the region as a storm moved through (Picture: NHK)

18 of the players are receiving treatment in hospital (Picture: NHK)

Tremors from the quake caused a small tsunami to hit southern Japan, reaching the Okinawa region earlier this morning.

Japanese media had initially claimed the quake could trigger waves as tall as three metres, prompting cabinet secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi to urge local residents in to stay on high ground, but no damage was recorded and the tsunami warnings were lifted at around noon.

In Taiwan, however, large spates of buildings are collapsed and 77 people are believed to be stranded.

Japan’s prime minister Fumio Kishida has said the country stands ready to provide any assistance necessary to Taiwan after the massive earthquake.

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