CONAKRY (Guinea), December 1: A tragic incident at a soccer stadium in southern Guinea resulted in the deaths of fifty-six individuals, with many others injured, amidst violent clashes between fans, as reported by the government on Monday.
The Communications Minister, Fana Soumah, stated that an investigation is underway to identify those accountable for the stampede that occurred on Sunday. According to local media and a coalition of political parties, several children are included among the deceased.
The stampede erupted during the final of a local tournament held in the city of Nzerekore, which featured teams from Labe and Nzerekore in a tribute to Guinea’s military leader, Mamadi Doumbouya. Primarily, Prime Minister Amadou Oury Bah commented on the events via the X platform, stating, “Victims were recorded during the chaos.” He also indicated that regional authorities are striving to restore order in the area.
Reports indicate that security forces resorted to using tear gas to manage the situation following unrest triggered by a controversial penalty decision.
“The disputed penalty caused a backlash among supporters who retaliated by throwing stones, leading to the use of tear gas by security personnel,” reported Media Guinea, a local news outlet. The same report highlighted that among the fatalities were several children, while some injured individuals receiving care at a regional hospital were reported to be in critical condition.
Eyewitness videos from the incident depicted fans expressing their frustration over the officiating before chaos erupted, with people spilling onto the field in a frantic attempt to escape. Many spectators were seen leaping over tall barriers as they fled the stadium. Additional footage showed numerous people lying on the ground in what appeared to be a hospital as a crowd gathered, some attempting to assist the injured.
The National Alliance for Alternation and Democracy opposition coalition is demanding an investigation into the incident, claiming the tournament was organized to bolster support for the military leader’s “unlawful and inappropriate” political aspirations.
Since the military coup that ousted President Alpha Conde in 2021, Guinea has been under military rule. It is part of a growing number of West African nations, including Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, experiencing similar military-led governance with postponed returns to civilian rule.
Doumbouya, who led the coup three years ago, asserted that he is taking measures to prevent the country from descending into turmoil and criticized the previous government for failing to meet its promises. Nonetheless, he has faced backlash for not fulfilling the expectations he had raised among the populace. (AP)
