Tragedy Strikes Guinea Football Match, Dozens Killed in Stadium Crush

A tragic stadium crush has claimed the lives of dozens in N’zérékoré, Guinea’s second-largest city, following violent clashes during a football match. The incident, which occurred during a tournament match between N’zérékoré and Labé, has shocked the nation.

The chaos reportedly began after fans of the visiting team, Labé, reacted angrily to a referee’s decision, hurling stones onto the pitch. Police responded with tear gas, which allegedly exacerbated the situation, leading to a panic-driven stampede.

Videos shared on social media reveal distressing scenes of large crowds scrambling over walls and multiple unresponsive bodies on the ground, including children. The exact number of fatalities remains unconfirmed, but reports indicate the toll could be significant.

Prime Minister Mamadou Oury Bah confirmed the “stampede” and expressed condolences to victims’ families. He appealed for calm and assured that hospitals are providing care to the injured. Regional authorities are working to stabilize the situation and investigate the incident.

The match was part of a tournament held in honor of President Mamadi Doumbouya, who took power in a September 2021 coup. Thousands of spectators were in attendance at the time of the tragedy.

This incident adds to a global pattern of stadium disasters linked to overcrowding and poor crowd control. It underscores the urgent need for stricter safety measures at large-scale sporting events.