A stampede during a football match in Nzerekore, southeastern Guinea, on Sunday has reportedly left dozens dead. Health officials estimate the death toll could reach up to 100, though official figures are yet to be confirmed. The incident occurred after clashes erupted between rival fans over a controversial referee decision.
The violence began when supporters of the visiting Labe team hurled stones onto the pitch in protest. Police responded by deploying tear gas, triggering panic among spectators. The rush to escape resulted in a fatal stampede. Videos circulating online show fans climbing stadium walls in a desperate attempt to flee.
Health workers at Nzerekore hospital described the scenes as being chaotic and overwhelming.
“There are bodies lined up as far as the eye can see in the hospital. Others are lying on the floor in the hallways. The morgue is full,” one doctor told AFP.
Prime Minister Mamadou Oury Bah confirmed the incident in a statement on X.
He said: “The government deplores the incidents that marred the football match between the Labe and Nzerekore teams this afternoon in Nzerekore. The government will publish a press release when it has collected all the relevant information on these unfortunate incidents.”
He added that local authorities are working to restore order. However, the opposition has criticised the government’s handling of the event and accused it of failing to ensure safety at the stadium.
The unrest reportedly extended beyond the stadium as angry demonstrators vandalised and set fire to the Nzerekore police station. Witnesses reported widespread chaos in the city following the match.
The football match was part of a tournament organised in honour of Guinea’s military leader, Mamady Doumbouya, who seized power in a coup in 2021. The National Alliance for Alternation and Democracy (ANAD), an opposition party, largely blamed the authorities for the tragedy. The group said the tournament was a campaign tool for Doumbouya’s “illegal and inappropriate candidacy.”
Since assuming power, Doumbouya has faced increasing criticism over his leadership. After taking over in a 2021 coup, Doumbouya promised to hand power back to a civilian government by the end of 2024. However, he has since made it clear that he does not plan to step down.
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