At least 56 people have been reported dead after a fan clash at a football match led to a stampede in the city of Nzerekore, Guinea.
The incident happened during Sunday afternoon’s final of a local tournament in Nzerekore. Rival fans invaded the pitch in protest of the referee’s penalty decision.
The stampede ensued after police attempted to defuse the commotion with teargas.
Videos claiming to be from the stadium show people running and jumping the high fence in attempts to escape.
Some footage shows many victims on the floor in a hospital as the injured are being assisted.
According to Guineenews, a local news website, a government press release on Monday confirmed 56 people died and several more were injured in the stampede.
The report added that the government pledged to care for the injured with all the provisions.
The press release said an investigation has been opened to determine the culprits of the incident.
In a tweet on his X account, Amadou Oury Bah, the country’s prime minister, urges calmness “so that hospital services are not hindered in providing first aid to the injured”.
“The regional authorities are working to restore calm and serenity among the population. The government is monitoring the development of the situation and reiterates its call for calm so that hospital services are not hindered in providing first aid to the injured,” the tweet reads.
“The moral authorities of the city are requested to also contribute to the restoration of social tranquility.
