Dozens dead in Guinea after clash at soccer match

Dozens of people have died, more than a hundred according to some media, in clashes that occurred at a soccer match that took place in N’zérékoré, the second largest city in Guinea Conakry. The Government, however, has estimated the fatalities at 56.

“Demonstrations of discontent against the refereeing decisions included stone throwing by fans, causing deadly avalanches,” the government said in a statement broadcast on national television. “The hospital services have a provisional balance of 56 deaths“he added.

Apparently, the disturbances originated after a referee’s decision that was violently protested by those attending the game, who invaded the playing field.

According to the local press, The Police used tear gas after fans of the visiting team, Labé, threw stones at the field angry at the decisions made by the referee during the match and will jump onto the grass.

The Prime Minister, Mamadou Oury Bah, indicated that a stampede at the event caused several victims on Sunday, December 1, although he did not specify the number and asked the population for calm.

Regional authorities are working to “restore calm,” Bah added in a statement, while hospitals are treating the injured, whose number has also not been specified.

Thousands of spectators were present when the confrontation occurred in a match between the Guinean teams N’zérékoré and Labé, according to MediaGuinee.

According to the outlet, the match was part of a tournament in honor of President Mamadi Doumbouya, who took power through a coup in September 2021.