A tragedy during a football match in Guinea, West Africa, has left at least 56 people dead and many others injured, authorities reported on Monday.
Information Minister Fana Soumah said in a statement that investigations are underway to determine the cause of the stampede at a stadium in the southern city of Nzerekore.
Videos shared on social media showed fans trying to escape the overcrowded stadium. One video, found by CNN, showed fans climbing over a wall as they attempted to flee the stadium in Nzerekore, southeastern Guinea.
“The government condemns the incidents that disrupted the football match between the Labé and Nzerekore teams this afternoon in Nzerekore,” said Prime Minister Bah Oury in a previous statement.
“The government is monitoring the situation and reiterates its call for calm so that medical services are not hindered in providing first aid to the injured,” Oury said, while local authorities were ordered to restore “social peace.”
Oury’s statement did not provide a description of what happened inside the stadium but said a more detailed report would follow.
Local media, MediaGuinee, reported that clashes between fans and security forces began due to some referee decisions, followed by a massive stampede as the crowds tried to leave the stadium. CNN could not verify these reports.
Avenirguinee, a local outlet, reported that the match was part of a tournament organized by Guinea’s military junta to support the candidacy of Mamady Doumbouya.
Doumbouya, who took power in a coup in 2021 and installed himself as president, is eyeing a possible presidential bid in upcoming elections scheduled for 2025.
Doumbouya is one of several figures who have taken power in this unstable region since 2020. West and Central Africa have seen at least eight successful coups since 2020, while political unrest has raised concerns about a shift toward military rule in a resource-rich but economically poor region.
