A devastating tragedy struck Nzérékoré, Guinea’s second-largest city, as human rights groups reported over 135 deaths in a stadium crash during a football match, most of them children. This figure is significantly higher than the government’s official count of 56 fatalities, which is still under investigation.
The deadly crush occurred on Sunday following violence sparked by a controversial refereeing decision during the match. As chaos ensued, police used tear gas, exacerbating the panic as thousands tried to escape through a single, narrow exit. Witnesses reported that vehicles transporting officials also struck fleeing spectators, further worsening the situation.
Government and Rights Groups’ Response
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- Official Investigation: Guinea’s military government, led by Justice Minister Yaya Kaïraba Kaba, has launched a judicial inquiry into the tragedy and warned against spreading unverified or malicious information, threatening arrests and prosecutions.
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- Rights Groups’ Allegations: A collective of local rights groups have accused the game’s organizers and the junta of negligence. They criticized the excessive use of tear gas in an enclosed space and questioned the organization of the tournament, which was held to honour President Mamady Doumbouya.
The rights groups based their estimate of 135 deaths on hospital reports, witness accounts, cemeteries, and family testimonies. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Mamadou Oury Bah announced three days of national mourning and emphasized the government’s provisional death toll, urging patience as investigations continue.
The Nzérékoré stadium, where the incident occurred, was reportedly “packed to the rafters” with thousands of fans. A local journalist highlighted that the venue had only one small exit, a critical factor in the fatal crash. Guinea’s stadiums, along with those of Ethiopia, Gambia, Chad, and Sierra Leone, are banned from hosting international matches by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) due to failing to meet international standards.
This tragedy has reignited concerns about inadequate infrastructure, crowd control, and event management in sports facilities across Africa. The loss of so many lives, particularly children, underscores the urgent need for reform in stadium safety and accountability for organizers.
The full scale of the tragedy is yet to be confirmed as investigations continue. While the country mourns, calls for transparency and justice will likely grow louder, urging Guinea’s government to address the systemic issues that led to this heartbreaking incident.
