Dozens Dead in Stampede Following Football Match in Guinea

A stampede during a football match in Guinea resulted in multiple fatalities, with eyewitnesses describing chaotic scenes as fans clashed over referee decisions. Prime Minister Mamadou Oury Bah urged calm, while hospitals prepared for an influx of injured individuals. This incident highlights Guinea’s troubled history with violence at public events, reminiscent of a 2009 stadium massacre.

Tragedy struck during a football match in N’zérékoré, Guinea, where a deadly stampede left numerous people dead following clashes between fans. Prime Minister Mamadou Oury Bah confirmed that chaos erupted after spectators expressed their discontent over officiating decisions. Eyewitness accounts revealed a surge of fans invading the pitch, leading to a harrowing scene outside the stadium with many bodies reported on the ground. Local authorities are currently addressing the situation and providing assistance to the injured.

The incident occurred during a match between N’zérékoré and Labé, part of a tournament dedicated to President Mamadi Doumbouya, who came to power following a coup in 2021. Guinea has a history of violent occurrences at sporting events, the most notorious being the 2009 stadium massacre where over 150 individuals were killed during a political rally. This historical context underscores the volatility surrounding sporting events in the nation and heightened tensions among fans.

The tragic event at the football match in Guinea serves as a grim reminder of the potential for violence in sporting contexts, particularly under heightened emotional circumstances. With the nation grappling with its history of unrest, it is critical for authorities to implement measures to ensure the safety of spectators at such gatherings. The Prime Minister’s call for calm and the mobilization of local hospitals to assist the injured reflect an immediate response to this dire situation while emphasizing the urgent need for effective crowd management and safety protocols.

Original Source: www.bbc.com