A controversial refereeing decision sparked violence and killings at a soccer match in southeastern Guinea, leaving 56 people dead, the government said on Monday, based on a provisional tally based on what a witness described as a chaotic scene.
The final of the tournament honoring Guinean military leader Mamady Doumbouya took place at a stadium in Nzerekore, one of the West African country’s largest cities.
The government promised an investigation in a statement, saying the fans had thrown stones, causing panic and excitement.
An eyewitness who watched the game said a controversial red card in the 82nd minute sparked the violence.
“When the stone-throwing started, the police joined in and fired tear gas. In the rush and mayhem that followed, I saw people falling to the ground, girls and children being trampled,” Amara Conde told Reuters by phone.
A dangerous scrum broke out at the exit as the crowd rushed to leave, police sources said.
Video verified by Reuters shows dozens of people jumping over a high wall to escape.
Ousted President Alpha Conde said the event was poorly organized at a time of uncertainty in the country as it awaits Dubouya, who took power in a coup in 2021, to hold promised elections.
“At a time when the country is already marred by tensions and restrictions, this tragedy highlights the dangers of irresponsible organizations,” Conde said in a statement.
A city administration official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said many of the victims caught up in the disturbance after police began firing tear gas were minors. Officials described scenes of chaos and chaos as parents collected the bodies before they were officially counted.
Videos and photos shared online show victims lined up on the floor. One video showed more than a dozen inert bodies, several of them children.
Reuters could not immediately verify the video.
The opposition group National Alliance for Change and Democracy said authorities were responsible for organizing the tournament to shore up political support for Doumbouya in violation of the transition charter ahead of the long-awaited presidential election.
There was no immediate response from the military to these accusations.
Doumbouya’s government has proposed holding elections for two years starting in 2022 after negotiating with West African political and economic blocs, but has made little move to organize a vote, sparking public frustration and sometimes deadly protests.
On Monday, Human Rights Watch accused the military of cracking down on the opposition, media and peaceful dissent and failing to keep its promise to restore civilian rule by December 2024.
The report said security forces used excessive force, including tear gas and shooting, against protesters.
There was no immediate response from the military to HRW’s claims.
There have been many fatal disasters at football stadiums in recent decades. The Confederation of African Football has been working with FIFA, soccer’s world governing body, to address dangerous overcrowding and other safety issues in African stadiums.
