Guinea soccer match: 56 people killed in stampede
Tragedy Strikes at Soccer Stadium in Guinea
CONAKRY, Guinea – Fifty-six people lost their lives and several others were injured in a tragic stampede at a soccer stadium in southern Guinea. The incident occurred following clashes between fans, as confirmed by Guinea’s government on Monday.
An investigation is currently underway to identify those accountable for the stampede that took place on Sunday, stated Communications Minister Fana Soumah in a televised address.
Reports from local media and a coalition of political parties revealed that among the victims were several children.
The stampede occurred during the final of a local tournament between the Labe and Nzerekore teams, held in honor of Guinea’s military leader, Mamadi Doumbouya, at the stadium in the city of Nzerekore, stated Guinea’s Prime Minister Amadou Oury Bah.
“During the stampede, fatalities were recorded,” said Bah, refraining from providing further details. He mentioned that regional authorities are working to restore peace in the area.
According to local media, security forces resorted to using tear gas to quell the chaos that erupted after a contentious penalty decision.
“The disputed penalty incited the fans, leading to stone-throwing. Consequently, tear gas was deployed by security forces,” reported Media Guinea, a local news outlet. It was disclosed that a number of casualties were children, and some of the injured individuals currently receiving treatment at a regional hospital are in critical condition.
Video footage from the scene depicted fans in a section of the stadium protesting the refereeing decisions before the clashes ensued and spilled onto the field.
People were seen fleeing the stadium, with many resorting to jumping over the high fence to escape the chaos.
Additional videos displayed numerous individuals lying on the ground in what appeared to be a hospital setting, as bystanders gathered, rendering aid to the wounded.
The National Alliance for Alternation and Democracy opposition coalition has called for a thorough investigation into the tragic incident. The coalition criticized the tournament for being organized to garner support for what they deemed as the “illegal and inappropriate” political aspirations of the military leader.
Guinea has been under military rule since the ousting of President Alpha Conde in 2021. The country joins a growing list of West African nations, including Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, where military coups have disrupted the transition to civilian governance.
Mamadi Doumbouya, who seized power three years ago, justified his actions by claiming to prevent the country from descending into turmoil and condemning the previous administration for unfulfilled promises. Despite his initial promises, Doumbouya has faced criticism for failing to meet the expectations he had raised.
