Lightning hit football match in Austria, 21 hurt

Twenty-one people were injured when lightning struck a football pitch during an amateur game in Leoben, in eastern Austria, emergency services said.

Police said at least three people were badly injured, but the Red Cross later announced all the casualties were only lightly hurt.

Lightning had apparently struck the pitch near one of the goalposts, injuring mostly players.

The following storm and heavy rain prevented helicopters from helping to evacuate the injured, a Red Cross spokesperson said.

All 21, men as well as boys, were eventually taken to nearby hospitals.