Melbourne man killed 'instantly' by lightning while surfing in Bali

A Melbourne man surfing in Bali has been killed instantly after he was struck by lightning. 

Belgian-born footballer Denis Dasoul, who had been living in Melbourne for several years, was taking surfing lessons with an instructor in Kuta on Sunday afternoon when the pair were struck down by a bolt of lightning.

The 34-year-old and his instructor were taken to local hospital but could not be revived.

Police said the men "died on the spot".

A witness told local media their bodies turned blue from the impact of the freak strike.

"They were finishing their session and sitting up on their boards," a witness told local media.

"Both men fell off their boards and sank into the water."

Dasoul played professional soccer in Belgium, Italy and Austria before he moved to Melbourne in 2011 with his girlfriend.

He was working as project manager in the city.

Dasoul played for multiple clubs including Standard Liege, Royal Antwerp and Torres Sassari.

"A tragic accident took away a loved one," Torres Sassari said in a statement.

"Denis served for Torres in 2010 and 2011 and we are reminded of the great human he was and his professional qualities. To his family we send our most heartfelt condolences from the Torres Sassari club."

His friends have also left messages of condolences on their social media pages.

"Denis was a marvellous person who lived every day like it was the last,” Pascal Scime, a close friend of Dasoul's, wrote.

"He was always smiling and joking. This is a tragedy."