Bulgarian National Football Team Coach Dies from Lightning Strike During Match

The coach of the Bulgarian national football team has died during a match after being struck by lightning. The BTA state news agency reported that the incident occurred on Sunday during a friendly match between two teams from Bulgarian villages, Lesichovo and Chernogorovo.

41-year-old Ivan Ranchev, the coach of the visiting team, died on the spot from the lightning strike, which happened shortly after the game began during a heavy thunderstorm. The shockwave knocked down several other players, but they did not sustain serious injuries.

Dimitar Vrinchev, the mayor of Lesichovo, told the media that the football match began at 6:30 PM, and shortly after, “the rain started.” He added, “There was a strong thunderstorm, and lightning struck the field. The lightning hit Ivan Ranchev and our player. Both fell to the ground.”