A crowd crush during a football match in N’Zerekore, Guinea, has resulted in multiple fatalities. The incident occurred during a game between the Labé and N’Zerekore teams, with fans scrambling to escape the packed stadium. Prime Minister Bah Oury confirmed casualties, expressing condolences and calling for calm. He also urged local authorities to restore order and ensure hospital services could assist the injured.
Reports suggest that clashes between fans and security, triggered by controversial refereeing decisions, led to the stampede. It remains unclear how many people died in the incident, though local reports mention several fatalities, including minors. Footage from the scene shows fans attempting to scale walls to escape the chaos.
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The match was part of a tournament organized by Guinea’s ruling military junta, which seized power in a 2021 coup. The tournament is believed to have been organized to support the junta’s potential candidacy in the upcoming 2025 presidential elections. This incident adds to growing concerns over political instability in West and Central Africa, where coups have become more frequent.
As the region faces increasing political unrest, this tragedy highlights the challenges of maintaining order during public events in Guinea. The government is expected to provide a more detailed report on the incident, which has drawn significant attention both locally and internationally.
