Over 50 Feared Dead in Guinea Football Stadium Stampede

A devastating stampede at a football stadium in Nzerekore, southern Guinea, has resulted in the deaths of at least 50 people, including children, according to government officials cited by Sky News.

The incident occurred on Sunday during the final of a local football tournament organized to honor Guinea’s military leader, Mamadi Doumbouya.

Tensions flared during the match between teams from Labe and Nzerekore after a controversial penalty decision sparked outrage among the fans.

The situation worsened when some supporters began throwing stones, prompting security forces to deploy tear gas in an attempt to restore order.

This led to widespread panic, triggering a stampede towards the stadium exits, which claimed numerous lives and left many others injured. Several victims remain in critical condition at a regional hospital.

Local media have reported heartbreaking scenes, including the deaths of children. Social media footage shows fans desperately scaling fences to escape the turmoil, while others are seen lying injured or lifeless in hospital corridors as medical personnel and bystanders tried to assist.

“This tragic incident has left our community devastated,” a local resident told ESPN. “We came here to celebrate football, but it ended in sorrow.”

Guinea’s Prime Minister, Amadou Oury Bah, expressed his condolences and confirmed the fatalities, writing on social media: “The government regrets the incidents that marred the football match… victims have been recorded.”

Authorities are working to restore calm in the region, but the incident has raised significant concern. The National Alliance for Alternation and Democracy, a coalition of political parties, has called for an independent investigation into the tragedy. The group condemned the tournament as a political tool to bolster Doumbouya’s regime, labeling it “illegal and inappropriate.”

Guinea has been under military rule since Doumbouya led a coup in 2021 to oust President Alpha Conde. While the coup was initially justified as a means to prevent chaos and fulfill unmet promises, Doumbouya’s leadership has faced growing criticism for not addressing public concerns.

The National Alliance for Alternation and Democracy has called for accountability in the wake of the incident, demanding better crowd control and questioning the use of force by security personnel at public events.