A tragic stadium crush in Nzérékoré, Guinea’s second-largest city, has claimed the lives of at least 56 people, the government confirmed.
The incident occurred during a football match on Sunday, part of a tournament held in honour of President Mamady Doumbouya.
Eyewitness reports suggest the chaos was triggered by a series of controversial decisions by the referee, including the sending off of two players from the visiting Labé team and the awarding of a penalty kick to the home side. The ensuing uproar reportedly led to the deadly stampede.
Prime Minister Oury Bah described the incident as “tragic” and announced an inquiry to identify those responsible. “We extend our deepest condolences to the bereaved families,” Bah said in a statement.
A doctor at a local hospital described harrowing scenes of “bodies lined up as far as the eye can see,” underscoring the scale of the disaster.
The tournament, held to honour President Doumbouya, has sparked criticism from opposition groups who allege it is a ploy to bolster support for Doumbouya ahead of upcoming elections.
The National Alliance for Change and Democracy accused the authorities of bearing “significant responsibility for these grave events,” though the government has yet to respond to these allegations.
President Doumbouya came to power in a coup in 2021, and football tournaments honouring his leadership have been held across Guinea, further polarizing public opinion.
The incident in Nzérékoré has added to growing concerns about governance and safety in Guinean football.
In July, Aboubacar Sampil, president of the country’s football federation (Feguifoot), was investigated for corruption and alleged involvement in inciting violence during matches.
Sampil, who also heads the board of directors for ASK, a local football club, has faced accusations of interfering in matches and facilitating unsafe conditions for teams.
Documents submitted to Feguifoot’s ethics body allege that ASK’s opponents were once unable to leave a match safely following a controversial decision.
Sampil denies the allegations, but critics say the lack of accountability at the highest levels of Guinean football has fostered a culture of impunity that endangers players and fans alike.
