In brief
An estimated 135 football fans have reportedly died in a stadium crush in Guinea, primarily children, according to human rights groups. The military government, however, contests the figures, stating ongoing investigations and urging against spreading unverified information.
Human rights groups in Guinea are reporting a staggering death toll of over 135 fans in a tragic crush that occurred during a football match on Sunday. This number, while not officially confirmed, is significantly higher than the government's count of 56 fatalities, as stated by various local sources including hospitals, cemeteries, and eyewitnesses. Disturbingly, reports indicate that over 50 fans are still unaccounted for following the chaos.The military regime in power has condemned the circulation of "unverified" information regarding the incident, insisting that they are conducting thorough investigations. Justice Minister Yaya Kaïraba Kaba announced that a judicial inquiry is underway into the actions of those deemed responsible, vowing to arrest and prosecute anyone accused of spreading malicious or unverified claims.The situation escalated following a controversial refereeing decision during the match that led to violence in the stands. As panic ensued, police deployed tear gas to control the crowd, which further exacerbated the chaos. Witnesses claimed that the fatalities can largely be attributed to the actions of both the match organizers and Guinea's military government, who hosted the tournament in honor of President Mamady Doumbouya.Rights groups further criticized the excessive use of tear gas within the confined space of the stadium. Eyewitness accounts detail that the structure had only one small exit, contributing to the deadly crush as fans scrambled to escape. In response to the tragedy, Prime Minister Mamadou Oury Bah declared three days of national mourning for the victims. Government spokesman Ousmane Gaoual acknowledged the sorrow engulfing the nation, urging sensitivity regarding the varying casualty figures.Local journalist Paul Sakouvogi described the stadium as being "packed to the rafters" prior to the incident, illustrating the alarming overcrowding issues prevalent in many venues across the region. Notably, Guinea, like several other African nations, is currently banned from hosting international football matches due to failure to meet the required safety standards, a predicament shared by countries such as Ethiopia and Gambia.
