Soccer match stampede kills dozens, including children
Fifty-six people have been killed and many others injured in a stampede at a soccer stadium in southern Guinea, the government confirmed on Monday.
The incident occurred during a match when clashes between fans escalated into chaos, leading to a deadly stampede.
Guinea’s Communications Minister, Fana Soumah, addressed the nation in a televised statement, confirming the fatalities and injuries.
He stated that authorities are actively conducting an investigation to determine who is responsible for the stampede with the government expressing its commitment to uncovering the circumstances that led to the loss of life.
The match, held in honor of Guinea’s military leader Mamadi Doumbouya, featured the Labe and Nzerekore teams. Prime Minister Amadou Oury Bah confirmed the fatalities from his account on the X platform.
He assured the public that regional authorities were working to restore calm in the southern city of Nzerekore.
The match, meant to promote local unity and celebrate Doumbouya’s leadership, instead turned into a disaster.
Richard Drew/AP Photo
Disputed Penalty Sparks Violence
The violence unfolded after a disputed penalty decision triggered anger among fans. According to media outlet Media Guinea, “This (the disputed penalty) angered supporters who threw stones.”
The deployment of tear gas only worsened the situation, leading to a deadly stampede as people tried to flee the stadium.
Many were trampled in the chaos, with reports indicating several of the dead were children. Others remain in critical condition and are being treated in nearby hospitals. The stampede caused panic across the stadium, with people scrambling for any means of escape.
Calls for Accountability
Disturbing footage from the scene showed fans rushing onto a nearby field, while others were seen laying injured on the ground. At a nearby hospital, videos depicted a crowd assisting the wounded.
The National Alliance for Alternation and Democracy, a coalition of political parties, has called for a full investigation into the tragedy.
They condemned the tournament as a political stunt designed to boost support for Doumbouya’s regime, calling it “illegal and inappropriate.”
The coalition argued that such events serve as a distraction from the country’s growing political unrest. The event has also left many questioning the government’s handling of public safety.
Le gouvernement déplore les incidents qui ont émaillé le match de football entre les équipes de Labe et Nzerekore cet après-midi à Nzerekore . Lors de la bousculade des victimes sont enregistrées. Les autorités régionales sont à pied d’œuvre pour rétablir le calme et la sérénité…
— Bah Oury (@bahourykigna) December 1, 2024
Political Instability in Guinea
Guinea has been under military rule since 2021, when Doumbouya ousted President Alpha Conde. While he initially promised reforms and stability, his government has faced mounting criticism for failing to meet public expectations.
The tragic stampede in Nzerekore is the latest indication of the rising tensions in the country, where public dissatisfaction continues to grow.
The incident mirrors the broader instability in West Africa, with nations including Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso also experiencing military coups and delays in returning to civilian governance. The political situation in Guinea remains precarious, with calls for a return to civilian rule becoming increasingly widespread.
This article includes additional reporting from The Associated Press
