A disastrous stampede at a football stadium in Guinea has reportedly led to the loss of over 135 lives, primarily children, during a chaotic aftermath of a match, according to human rights organizations.
Tragedy Strikes Football Match in Guinea: Over 135 Feared Dead
Tragedy Strikes Football Match in Guinea: Over 135 Feared Dead
Human rights groups report significant fatalities after stadium crush during football game.
On Sunday, a catastrophic crush occurred at a stadium in Nzérékoré, Guinea's second-largest city, sparking panic among attendees. Human rights advocates claim the death toll exceeds 135, significantly overshadowing the official count of 56, based on reports from hospitals, cemeteries, and eyewitness accounts. With more than 50 individuals still unaccounted for, the tragedy has drawn heavy scrutiny.
The military government has cautioned against disseminating "unverified" figures, asserting that investigations are in progress. Justice Minister Yaya Kaïraba Kaba instructed a judicial inquiry into the incident and threatened legal action against those spreading false information.
The deadly incident stemmed from contentious officiating during the match, igniting violence that drew police intervention. Authorities reportedly deployed tear gas to disperse the crowd, exacerbating the chaos as spectators attempted to escape. Rights organizations condemned the tournament organizers and the ruling junta for the calamity, declaring excessive use of tear gas in a confined space contributed to the deaths, and cited that official vehicles struck fleeing citizens.
In response to the overwhelming loss, Prime Minister Mamadou Oury Bah declared three days of national mourning. Government spokesman Ousmane Gaoual acknowledged the profound sorrow permeating the nation, reiterating the government's commitment to finalize accurate casualty figures amid the confusion and grief.
Local journalist Paul Sakouvogi described the stadium as "packed to the rafters," revealing the facility had only one limited exit where the crowd surge resulted in the fatal crush. Guinea, along with several other African nations, currently faces international restrictions on hosting football games due to failure to meet safety standards prescribed by the Confederation of African Football (Caf).
This incident has raised significant concerns about crowd management and safety protocols at sporting events across the continent, underlining an urgent need for reform to prevent future tragedies.
