Fifty-six people were killed and several injured in a stampede at a soccer stadium in southern Guinea, following clashes between fans, Guinea’s government said Monday.
Authorities are conducting an investigation to establish those responsible for the stampede on Sunday, Communications Minister Fana Soumah said in a statement read on national television.
The stampede erupted in the packed stadium as security forces attempted to control clashes among fans, local media reported. Prime Minister Amadou Oury Bah assured that regional authorities are working to restore calm in the area.
The National Alliance for Alternation and Democracy, a coalition of political parties, issued a statement confirming that the disaster resulted in numerous deaths and injuries.
This tragic event highlights ongoing challenges with crowd management and stadium safety in Guinea. Investigations are expected as families and the community mourn the loss of lives.
Local media reported that security forces tried to use teargas to restore calm after the chaos that followed a disputed penalty.
The local media said a disputed penalty angered supporters who threw stones, and security services used tear gas in response. It said several of those killed were children, while some of the injured being treated at a regional hospital are in critical condition.
Videos that appeared to be from the scene showed a section of the stadium shouting and protesting the refereeing before the clashes broke out as fans poured onto the field.
The National Alliance for Alternation and Democracy coalition called for an investigation. It said the tournament was organised to drum up support for the “illegal and inappropriate” political ambition of the military leader.
The military has led Guinea 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 taken power and delayed a return to civilian rule.
Doumbouya overran the president three years ago, saying he prevented the country from slipping into chaos and chastised the previous government for broken promises. He has, however, been criticised for not meeting the expectations that he raised.