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A deadly stampede at a football match killed at least 56 people in Guinea’s second city N’Zerekore, the junta-controlled government said Monday.
The events at Sunday’s match, which were initially reported as clashes between fans, were triggered after a player was sent off at the end of the game, witnesses said.
The match in the southeastern city was the final of a tournament organized in honor of Guinea’s junta leader, Mamady Doumbouya, who seized power in a 2021 coup and has installed himself as president.
The opposition has accused the junta of using sport for political ends.
Witnesses said fans invaded the pitch following the referee’s decision, with some attacking the stand designated for officials, prompting the intervention of security forces.
“Protests of dissatisfaction with refereeing decisions led to stone-throwing by supporters, resulting in fatal stampedes,” said a government statement which was read out on national television.
“Hospital services have put the provisional death toll at 56, with several others injured,” it added, describing the incident as a “tragic event”.
