The Guinean government said on Monday that 56 people were killed and several others were injured in a stampede at a football stadium in southern Guinea after clashes between fans.
Communications Minister Fana Al-Somah said in a statement read on national television that the authorities are conducting an investigation to determine those responsible for the stampede that occurred on Sunday.
Among the victims were several children, according to local media and a coalition of political parties.
The Prime Minister of Guinea, Amadou Ory Bah, said on the “X” platform that the stampede broke out on Sunday afternoon at the stadium in the city of N’Zérekore during the final match of a local championship between the teams of Labé and N’Zérékore in honor of Guinean military commander Mamady Doumbouya.
“During the stampede, casualties were recorded,” Bah said, without giving details. He added that the regional authorities are working to restore calm to the region.
Local media reported that security forces attempted to use tear gas to restore calm after the chaos that followed a disputed penalty kick.
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He added: “This (disputed penalty kick) angered the fans who threw stones. This is how the security services used tear gas.” She added that many of the dead were children, while some of the wounded were being treated in a regional hospital in critical condition.
Video clips that appeared to be from the scene of the incident showed fans in part of the stadium chanting and protesting against the refereeing, before clashes broke out as people streamed into the stadium.
People were running as they tried to escape the stadium, many of them jumping the high fence.
Videos also showed several people lying on the ground in what appeared to be a hospital while a crowd of people gathered nearby, some helping the wounded.
The opposition National Alliance for Rotation and Democracy coalition called for an investigation. She said the tournament was organized to garner support for the military commander’s “illegal and inappropriate” political ambitions.
Guinea has been led by the army since soldiers ousted President Alpha Conde in 2021. It is one of a growing number of West African countries, including Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso, where the military has seized power and delayed a return to civilian rule.
Doumbuya, who ousted the president three years ago, said he was preventing the country from sliding into chaos and criticized the previous government for not keeping its promises. However, it was criticized for not meeting the expectations it raised.
& Edition 2024 The Canadian Press
