Several people were crushed to death in a stampede at a stadium following clashes between fans during a soccer match on Sunday in the southeastern Guinean city of N’Zerekore, the prime minister said, while an opposition group cited reports of dozens killed.
Videos and photos circulated online showed the victims lined up on the ground. In one video, more than a dozen inert bodies could be counted, many of which were children.
Unverified photos showed fans scrambling over the stadium walls.
but, Reuters The authenticity of the videos and the death toll have not been confirmed.
Prime Minister Mamadou Ori Bah said in a statement, “The government regrets the events that marred the football match between the Lapé and N’Zérekore teams this afternoon in N’Zerekore. During the stampede, casualties were recorded.”
He added that local authorities are working to restore order.
Meanwhile, an opposition group said dozens were killed in the stampede, adding that the final death toll had not yet been determined.
Local media reported that the stampede occurred after a fight broke out among fans during the match on Sunday afternoon following a disputed decision by the referee.
One of the country’s official media outlets said: “The violence quickly escalated, and scenes of panic swept the stadium, while the police used tear gas.” guinea panorama, I mentioned.
The opposition National Alliance for Change and Democracy said that the authorities bear “great responsibility for these dangerous events.”
The match was the final match of a tournament in honor of Guinea’s military leader, Mamadi Doumbouya.