56 Dead: A Football Match turns to a Deathtrap in Guinea

A football match played in the country's second-largest town, Nzerekore, turned chaotic as 56 people died as a result of a stampede. The game was the final match in the tournament in honour of the Guinea Military leader Mamady Doumbouya, who assumed power through a military coup in September 2021. 

The final match between the host N'Zérékoré and Labé took an unexpected twist in the 82nd minute after the referee awarded a penalty against the visiting side Labe, a decision that led their fans to start throwing stones, which led to fans storming the field.

In response, the police fired teargas in the air, which escalated the panic. According to the videos circulating online from the scene, fans were seen shouting and protesting the referee's decision before hell broke loose and violence started.

Videos circulating online show people jumping over the stadium's wall and trying to pass through the narrow exits in large numbers, leading to a stampede of those who might not have the strength to stand the pushing. 

"This (a disputed penalty) angered supporters who threw stones," Media Guinea reported. "This is how the security services used tear gas."

Guinea's Prime Minister Bah Oury condemned the violence in a statement on X.

"The government regrets the incidents that marred the football match between the teams of Labe and Nzerekore this afternoon in Nzerekore," he said.

"The government is closely monitoring the situation and reiterates its call for calm so that hospital services are not hindered in providing first aid to the injured."

"More information will be released as it becomes available," he added.