56 dead in crush at Guinea football stadium

A controversial refereeing decision led to violence and a deadly crush during a football match in southeast Guinea, leaving 56 people dead, according to the government on Monday.

The incident occurred during the final of a tournament held in honor of Guinea’s military leader, Mamady Doumbouya, at a stadium in Nzerekore, one of the country’s largest cities.

The chaos began when some fans threw stones, causing panic and a stampede, the government reported. A video authenticated by Reuters showed people desperately scrambling over high walls to escape the scene.

Prime Minister Mamadou Oury Bah condemned the events, stating that the stampede occurred during a match between the Labe and Nzerekore teams. He promised an investigation into the incident.

Local authorities were working to restore order, with many victims, including minors, caught in the confusion after police deployed tear gas. Some parents were seen retrieving bodies before they were officially counted.

Online videos and photos showed victims lying on the ground, with some images showing several lifeless bodies, including children.

The opposition group, the National Alliance for Change and Democracy, blamed the authorities for organizing the tournament to gain political favor for Doumbouya, arguing that it violated the transition charter ahead of a promised presidential election. There was no immediate response from the military junta to these claims.