A tragic stampede claimed the lives of dozens, including children, during a soccer match in Nzérékoré, Guinea’s largest city in the south. The incident occurred on Sunday when local teams, Labé and Nzérékoré, faced off in the final of a tournament held in honor of Guinea’s military leader, Mamadi Doumbouya.
The disaster unfolded as security forces attempted to manage clashes between fans in the crowded stadium. Local media reported that chaos erupted, leading to the stampede. Prime Minister Amadou Oury Bah addressed the tragedy on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), confirming that victims had been recorded but did not specify the death toll. He assured that regional authorities were working to restore calm in the area.
The National Alliance for Alternation and Democracy, a coalition of political parties, issued a statement confirming that the incident resulted in multiple deaths and injuries.
This tragedy highlights ongoing challenges regarding crowd management and stadium safety in Guinea. Investigations are expected as the community mourns the loss of lives.
Local media reports indicated that security forces used teargas to control the situation after a disputed penalty led to anger among supporters, who began throwing stones. It was reported that several children were among the victims, and many of the injured are in critical condition. Videos from the scene showed people running for cover and some lying on the floor in what appeared to be a hospital, with a crowd nearby assisting the wounded.
The National Alliance for Alternation and Democracy coalition has called for an investigation into the incident, condemning the tournament as a political tool to support Doumbouya’s “illegal and inappropriate” ambitions. The military has governed Guinea since it ousted President Alpha Conde in 2021, amid a growing trend of military coups in West Africa, including in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso. Although Doumbouya initially garnered support for removing the president, he has faced criticism for failing to meet the expectations he raised.
