Dozens feared dead after stampede breaks out at Guinea football match

56 Dead After Fans Storm Pitch Over Referee Decision

At least 56 people have died following a violent stampede during a football match in N’Zérékoré, Guinea’s second-largest city, the government has confirmed.

The incident occurred on Sunday when clashes erupted after fans protested against refereeing decisions. The unrest escalated into stone-throwing, prompting chaos that led to a fatal stampede, according to a government statement broadcast on national television. The statement further noted that hospital services have reported a preliminary death toll of 56.

The stampede unfolded at a match attended by approximately 200,000 people in N’Zérékoré. Witnesses and local media described rival fans storming the field after a controversial referee call, with police responding by deploying tear gas.

Earlier, health officials quoted by the AFP news agency estimated the death toll in the dozens. A doctor at the local hospital described harrowing scenes, stating, "Bodies are lined up as far as the eye can see. Others are lying in the hallways. The morgue is full.”

Clashes and Vandalism

The violence extended beyond the stadium, with angry demonstrators later vandalizing and setting fire to the N’Zérékoré police station, according to reports from Guineenews. It began with a disputed referee decision, which led to fans storming the pitch," a witness told AFP.

The match was part of a tournament organized in honor of Guinea’s military leader, Mamady Doumbouya, who seized power in a 2021 coup and currently serves as president.

Political Underpinnings

These tournaments, common in Guinea under Doumbouya’s leadership, have drawn criticism from opposition groups. The National Alliance for Alternation and Democracy (ANAD), a coalition of opposition parties, condemned the event, describing it as an effort to bolster Doumbouya’s potential candidacy in the country’s next presidential election.

Doumbouya, who ousted President Alpha Condé in a September 2021 coup, initially pledged a return to civilian governance by the end of 2024 but has since signaled intentions to remain in power. His self-promotion to army general earlier this year and crackdown on dissent have raised concerns about the political trajectory of the West African nation.

Elections to restore constitutional order have been postponed to 2025, despite mounting pressure from international and domestic groups for a timely transition.

Doumbouya is among several military leaders in West Africa who have seized power in recent years, joining counterparts in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger.