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The Nairobian

At least 56 dead after stampede breaks out at Guinea football match

Football

By Robert Abong'o | Dec 03, 2024

A tragic stampede at a football match in Guinea’s second-largest city, Nzérékoré, has left at least 56 people dead.

Some locals, however, fear the toll could be closer to 100.

The catastrophe unfolded during a high-stakes regional tournament, reportedly triggered by a controversial refereeing decision that sparked chaos.

The match between local side Nzérékoré and visiting team Labé took a dark turn when the referee sent off two Labé players and awarded a disputed penalty. Frustration boiled over as Labé fans began hurling stones onto the pitch, prompting police to respond with tear gas.

In the ensuing panic, fans surged towards the stadium's only exit, leading to a deadly stampede.

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In response to the tragedy, Prime Minister Oury Bah offered condolences and pledged an inquiry to uncover those responsible. “This is a tragic moment for our nation. We will ensure medical and psychological support for all affected,” he said, as quoted by the BBC.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) lamented the tragedy, stating, “Football is meant to unite, not cause grief.”

The disaster has reignited criticism over Guinea’s football infrastructure. The Nzérékoré stadium, where the incident occurred, is an unfinished project that began decades ago. The nation is currently banned from hosting international matches due to substandard facilities.

Guinea’s football association, Feguifoot, has also faced mounting scrutiny. Its president.

Calls for accountability

The opposition coalition National Alliance for Change and Democracy placed significant blame on authorities, accusing them of negligence. “This disaster could have been avoided with proper oversight,” the group stated.