On a tragic day in Guinea, reports emerged that dozens of individuals lost their lives in a deadly crush following violent clashes at a football match in Nzérékoré, the country’s second-largest city. The incident took place during a thrilling tournament match that was apparently designed to honor President Mamady Doumbouya, who took control of the nation after a coup in September 2021. As spectators eagerly gathered for the game between local favorites Nzérékoré and the visiting Labé team, chaos ensued, culminating in a stampede and disastrous consequences.
Prime Minister Mamadou Oury Bah addressed the nation, acknowledging the “stampede” at the event that resulted in significant loss of life and appealing for calm amidst the turmoil. His remarks reflect the severity of the situation, indicating a rapid escalation of violence within the stadium. A physician, who chose to remain anonymous, described a dire scene at the local hospital, stating that “bodies lined up as far as the eye can see.” The doctor further noted that the morgue had reached its capacity and that many injured individuals were left lying on hospital floors.
According to reports obtained by the Reuters news agency, the government confirmed that approximately 56 people had died as a result of the chaos. Local media described a horrific scene where tensions erupted after supporters of the visiting Labé team expressed fury over what they perceived to be a poor call by the referee, resulting in confrontations with police who resorted to tear gas to control the crowd. A witness recounted that the initial conflict began over a “contested decision” and escalated as fans ultimately charged onto the pitch, leading to uncontrolled mayhem.
Social media platforms were rife with videos and images illustrating the pandemonium outside the stadium, showcasing large crowds desperately trying to climb over walls in an effort to escape. Disturbingly, several individuals lying motionless on the ground appeared to be children, amplifying the tragedy of the situation. An independent verification of the videos was not possible at the time, leaving an air of uncertainty regarding the full scope of the disaster.
In the aftermath of the chaos, Prime Minister Bah indicated that regional authorities were taking steps to “restore calm” and that hospitals were actively engaged in providing care to the injured. Thousands had turned up for the match when the crush incident occurred, emphasizing the overwhelming attendance at this much-anticipated event. The local news website MediaGuinée reported that this match was part of a broader tournament dedicated to President Doumbouya, highlighting the intertwining of football with the nation’s political landscape.
The atmosphere surrounding Guinean football has noticeably intensified in recent months, particularly with increasing scrutiny directed toward influential figures within the sport. In July, Aboubacar Sampil, the president of Guinea’s football governing body, Feguifoot, was thrust into the spotlight following allegations of corruption and violence within the football scene. A junior member of his team accused him of inexplicably enabling violent actions and exerting undue influence over referees during a competitive match.
Such troubling claims have further complicated Sampil’s position, particularly regarding how his actions potentially contributed to the conditions that led to the recent disaster. Documents presented to Feguifoot’s ethics committee indicated that a match involving Sampil’s local team, ASK, faced significant violence, ultimately forcing the opposing team, Milo FC, to abandon the game amidst safety concerns. Despite the growing allegations against him, Sampil has categorically denied any wrongdoing.
As the nation mourns this heartbreaking loss of life, the football community and citizens alike are left to grapple with the implications of this incident and the broader issues of violence and safety within sporting events in Guinea. The future of the sport hangs in the balance as it faces scrutiny, and officials are urged to take decisive steps to ensure that such tragedies do not occur again.
