In brief
In a shocking incident during a soccer match in Guinea's Nzerekore, violent clashes have left dozens dead, with officials estimating the toll could be around 100. The Prime Minister condemned the violence, calling for calm to aid the injured, while investigations into the causes of the conflict are ongoing.
Dozens were reported dead during a violent soccer match in Guinea on Sunday, as clashes erupted between fans of the Labe and Nzerekore teams in Nzerekore, the country’s second-largest city. While the exact number of fatalities remains unclear, Agence France-Presse (AFP) relayed that a local doctor suggested the death toll could be “around 100” amidst what officials described as “dozens dead.” Prime Minister Bah Oury expressed his condolences on X, denouncing the upheaval that overshadowed the match and called for public tranquility to facilitate medical assistance to the injured. He promised further information as it becomes available. Eyewitness accounts indicate that the violence ignited following a contentious referee decision, prompting fans to storm the field in chaos. Local hospitals are reportedly struggling to manage the influx of casualties, with one doctor noting that both treatment areas and morgues are rapidly filling with deceased individuals. The tournament was held in honor of Col. Mamady Doumbouya, who has been the military leader of Guinea since a coup in 2021. Nzerekore, approximately 555 miles southeast of the capital, has a population of about 200,000. The incident marks a tragic turn in what was meant to be a competitive sporting event.
