Dozens of people, including children, were killed in a stampede that occurred after clashes during a football match in Guinea.

The stampede occurred Sunday afternoon in Nzerekore during a local tournament between the Labe and Nzerekore teams.

In Nzerekore, Guinea, chaos erupted as local officials reported a deadly stampede at a stadium following clashes between fans during a soccer match on December 1, 2024.

Dozens of soccer fans, including children, were killed in a stampede as security forces attempted to quell clashes during a soccer match at a crowded stadium in Nzerekore, the largest city in southern Guinea, according to local media and a coalition of political parties.

The stampede occurred on Sunday, December 2, 2024, during the final of a local tournament between the Labe and Nzerekore teams, held in honor of Guinea’s military leader, Mamadi Doumbouya. Guinea’s Prime Minister, Amadou Oury Bah, stated on the X platform, “Victims were recorded during the stampede,” although he did not specify the number of fatalities. He added that regional authorities were working to restore calm in the area.

A coalition of political parties known as the National Alliance for Alternation and Democracy reported that the stampede resulted in dozens of deaths and injuries. Local media indicated that security forces used tear gas to restore order after chaos erupted following a disputed penalty call. According to Media Guinea, the penalty angered supporters, leading them to throw stones, which prompted the security response. Several of those killed were children, and some of the injured being treated at a regional hospital are in critical condition.

Videos appearing to show the scene captured a section of the stadium vocalizing their protests against the refereeing decisions before clashes broke out, causing fans to pour onto the field. Many people ran to escape the chaos, with some jumping over the high fences. Other videos showed numerous individuals lying on the floor in what appeared to be a hospital, as a crowd gathered nearby to assist the wounded.

The National Alliance for Alternation and Democracy coalition called for an investigation into the incident. They stated that the tournament was organized to gain support for the military leader’s “illegal and inappropriate” political ambitions. Guinea has been under military control since soldiers ousted President Alpha Conde in 2021. The country is among several West African nations, including Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, where military leaders have taken power and postponed a return to civilian rule. Doumbouya came to power, claiming he aimed to prevent the country from descending into chaos, while criticizing the previous government for failing to deliver on its promises. However, he has faced criticism for not meeting the expectations he raised.

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