Stampede at soccer match in Guinea leaves at least 56 dead

At least 56 people died and several were injured yesterday Sunday in the stampedes unleashed as a result of clashes during a soccer match in the city of Nzérékoré, the second most important in Guinea-Conakry, according to the Government’s provisional balance published this Monday.

In a statement read on Guinean public radio and television RTG, the country’s transitional government explained that The tragedy occurred this Sunday in the final of a competition in which the teams from Nzérékoré and Labé faced each other.

“The demonstrations of discontent over the referee’s decision led fans to throw stones, which caused deadly stampedes,” the Executive said.

In another statement, The transitional president, General Mamadi Doumbouya, confirmed the events and expressed his condolences to the families of the victims. and wished a speedy recovery to the injured, treated by the Nzérékoré medical services.

“Since yesterday, the Government is doing everything possible to provide the first responses to this tragic event. An emergency mission led by the prime minister has been sent to evaluate the consequences,” said Doumbouya, who assured that a commission of inquiry will be established to “determine the causes of this tragedy and assign responsibilities.”

Finally, Doumbouya called “for calm and serenity for better management of the catastrophe”.

According to the local press, the Police used tear gas after fans of the visiting team, Labé, threw stones at the field, angry at the decisions made by the referee during the match, and jumped onto the grass.

Thousands of spectators were present at the April 3 Stadium in Nzérékoréin the southeast of Guinea-Conakry, when the confrontation occurred, according to the news portal ‘MediaGuinée’.

According to the outlet, the match was part of a tournament in honor of Doumbouya, who took power through a coup d’état in September 2021.

Continue reading:
• South African police search for the “Facebook Rapist”, he pretended to be dead to escape from prison
• Pirates attack an oil tanker and kidnap its crew
• Ugandan president calls on Africa to “save” the world from homosexuality