Over 100 killed as rival football fans clash in Guinea

The Prime Minister confirmed casualties after a stampede at a football match in N’Zerekore.

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A crowd crush at a football match in N'Zerekore, Guinea, has resulted in multiple casualties, as confirmed by the country's prime minister.

The incident occurred during a match between the Labé and N'Zerekore teams, with social media footage showing fans scrambling to escape the packed stadium.

Prime Minister Bah Oury expressed his condolences in a statement, confirming that victims were recorded during the crush.

"The government deplores the incidents that marred the football match," Bah Oury said, urging calm to ensure that hospital services could operate effectively and provide aid to the injured. He also called on local authorities to restore "social tranquility" in the aftermath.

 

 

 

 

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While Bah Oury's statement did not specify the details inside the stadium, he mentioned that a more detailed report would be provided. Footage geolocated by CNN showed fans scaling walls in an attempt to flee the stadium, though it is unclear how many casualties occurred.

Local outlet Mediaguinee reported several deaths, including minors, with the AFP citing an anonymous local doctor who claimed there were dozens of fatalities.

Reports suggest that clashes between fans and security were triggered by controversial refereeing decisions, which led to the stampede as crowds sought to escape the chaos.

The match was part of a tournament organised by Guinea’s ruling military junta, led by Mamady Doumbouya, who seized power in a 2021 coup. The tournament is believed to have been held to support Doumbouya’s potential candidacy in the 2025 presidential elections.

This incident adds to the growing concerns over political instability in West and Central Africa, where at least eight successful coups have occurred since 2020, leading to fears of a wider slide towards military rule in the resource-rich but impoverished region.