Stampede Claims 56 Lives at Guinea Football Match

A tragic stampede at a football match dedicated to Guinea’s junta chief has resulted in the deaths of at least 56 people, according to government reports on Monday. The incident occurred during a match in N’Zerekore, Guinea’s second-largest city, where fans rushed onto the pitch after a player was sent off and a penalty was awarded to the opposing team, Labe.

Chaos Erupts Amidst Tense Atmosphere

Witnesses described a chaotic scene as fans invaded the field, leading to panic among the crowd. Initially, the events were reported as clashes between rival fans. However, officials present at the match, including two ministers, were reportedly trapped and unable to leave, which escalated tensions. This prompted stone-throwing by supporters and a response from security forces, who used tear gas to control the situation.

“Panic quickly set in, leading to an uncontrollable stampede,” one witness recounted, adding that many were trampled or injured as they attempted to escape. The match was the final of a tournament organized in honor of General Mamady Doumbouya, the junta leader who took power in a 2021 coup and has since positioned himself as president.

Government and Opposition Reactions

The government stated that “protests of dissatisfaction with refereeing decisions led to stone-throwing by supporters, resulting in fatal stampedes.” In a televised address, officials confirmed the provisional death toll of 56, with many others injured. Videos circulating on social media, which AFP could not immediately verify, depicted scenes of chaos, with crowds attempting to climb the stadium’s perimeter walls to escape.

Local media reported that hospitals and morgues in the area were overwhelmed with casualties. In response to the tragedy, Doumbouya announced that an emergency mission led by the prime minister had been dispatched and that a commission of inquiry would be established to investigate the causes of the incident and assign responsibility.

Doumbouya urged calm in the nation, which has a history of political instability and remains impoverished despite its natural resources. The military junta, which seized power by force in September 2021, has faced criticism for its handling of public gatherings and sporting events, which many view as a means to promote Doumbouya’s potential candidacy in future elections.

The National Front for the Defence of the Constitution (FNDC), one of the last remaining opposition voices in Guinea, expressed its “outrage” over the N’Zerekore tragedy, holding the junta chief and his government “directly responsible” for the loss of innocent lives, including many children. The FNDC condemned what it described as the cynical use of sport for political purposes.

Former President Alpha Conde also expressed “profound sadness and boundless outrage” in a social media post, criticizing the lack of adequate preparation for the event amid a context of rising tensions and restrictions in the country.