Dozens feared dead in football stadium stampede in Guinea

2 December 2024, 16:59

At least 56 people have been killed in a stampede at a football match in Guinea
At least 56 people have been killed in a stampede at a football match in Guinea. Picture: X/@TheNewsTrending

By Will Conroy

At least 56 people have been killed in a stampede at a football match in Guinea on Sunday following clashes between fans, the government said.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Authorities are conducting an investigation to establish those responsible, Communications Minister Fana Soumah said on national television.

Children were reported to be among those who died.

The tragedy unfolded in Nzerekore city during the final of a local tournament between the Nzerekore and Labe teams.

Some reports indicate that events unravelled following a decision by the referee, who sent off two players from the visiting team, Labe, and awarded a controversial penalty kick.

Local media reported that security forces tried to use tear gas to restore calm after supporters of Labé threw stones towards the pitch in anger at the referee.

Videos that appeared to be from the scene showed a section of the stadium shouting at the referee before clashes broke out as fans poured onto the field.

People could be seen running as they tried to escape from the stadium, many of them jumping the high fence.

One doctor, who did not want to be named, told AFP news agency there were "bodies lined up as far as the eye can see in the hospital".

"Others are lying on the floor in the hallways. The morgue is full," he added.

The match was being held in honour of Guinea's military leader, Mamadi Doumbouya, according to Prime Minister Amadou Oury Bah on social media.

The opposition said the matches are part of a wider campaign to garner support for the junta leader ahead of a potential run for the presidency.

Read more: Shocking footage shows actress, 24, swept to death by huge wave off coast of Thai paradise island

Read more: JonBenét Ramsey cop reveals that solving six-year-old beauty queen's murder is finally 'within reach'

On Monday, the opposition group National Alliance for Change and Democracy also accused the authorities of having "significant responsibility for these grave events".

The government has not responded to this.

In recent months there has been increased scrutiny of powerful figures in Guinean football.

In July, Aboubacar Sampil, who is president of the country’s football body Feguifoot, became the subject of an investigation into corruption and violence in football.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Exclusive
Starmer To Abolish NHS England In Bid To Reform National Health Service

Patients suffering in the back of ambulance soars under Labour - with 1,000 per week are put in potentially serious harm

National Gallery to let one person sleep overnight in ‘first’ as section reopens

National Gallery to allow one-person sleepovers marking historic ‘first’ ahead of 200th anniversary

File photo dated 15/08/14

NHS staff harassed by members of public filming them with phones and threatening to post footage online

Prime Minister Keir Starmer Hosts Mia Mottley, Prime Minister Of Barbados

Starmer to relax rules over electric car sales as government pledges 'bold action' in wake of Trump tariffs

A police cordon in Elm Street, South Moor, Stanley, County Durham

Two arrests made after man in 50s shot dead in broad daylight in County Durham

Craig Revel Horwood

Craig Revel Horwood takes aim at fellow Strictly Come Dancing judges

Molly-Mae shared a sweet family snap of Tommy Fury and daughter Bambi

Is Molly-Mae back with Tommy Fury? Fans go wild over family photo fuelling reunion rumours

b

Mum of murdered teen Brianna Ghey considers mother of daughter's killer 'a friend' in amazing show of compassion

Adam Woodhouse has been jailed for multiple offences including cyber-flashing, arson with intent and stalking

'I will go to prison for murder': Domestic abuser who made woman's life 'hell' jailed - as victims urged to come forward

A police cordon in Elm Street, South Moor, Stanley, County Durham

Man in 50s shot dead in broad daylight in County Durham named locally

Dagenham

Firefighters battle blaze as vehicles and scrap metal catch fire at industrial estate

Ivan Juric, Manager of Southampton, looks dejected after the team's defeat and confirmed relegation

Southampton suffer earliest relegation in Premier League history after Tottenham defeat

Police at the scene in Elm Street, South Moor, Stanley, County Durham

Man in his 50s shot dead in County Durham in 'truly shocking incident'

Esme Baker, 10, and her father, Lee Baker, 48.

Pictured: Girl, 10, and father, 48, killed in caravan fire at holiday park in Lincolnshire

The scene in Beckenham Place Park in Lewisham, south-east London, after a teenager died after he "got into difficulty" in a lake.

Boy, 15, who died after 'getting into difficulty' while swimming in lake named by police

Keiron Charles

Two teenagers arrested after boy, 17, fatally stabbed in Shepherd's Bush