Kayonza: Sixteen fans struck by lightning while watching APR FC vs Pyramids FC match

By The Inspirer.

Sixteen residents from Kabarondo Sector in Kayonza District were struck by lightning while watching the CAF Champions League match between Rwanda’s APR FC and Egypt’s Pyramids FC.

Eight of them were injured and taken to the hospital for treatment.

The incident happened on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, in Kabuye Village, Kabura Cell, Kabarondo Sector, Kayonza District. The lightning struck around 3:00 p.m. as the group was watching the football match inside a private home.

According to Longin Gatanazi, the Executive Secretary of Kabarondo Sector, the fans were lucky because no one died or faced serious injuries.

“At around 3:00 p.m., lightning struck while APR fans were watching the match in someone’s living room. All sixteen were affected, but eight of them showed visible symptoms such as swelling in their legs, faces, and other body parts. We took them to Kabarondo Health Center, where they are now receiving treatment,” Gatanazi told IGIHE.

He added that among those struck were a woman and a four-year-old child who had also come to watch the game. After taking the injured to the hospital, local authorities comforted the affected families and advised residents to install lightning protection systems on their houses and to avoid risky behavior during storms.