Dozens of people have died in violent clashes during a football match in N'Zerekore, southeastern Guinea, according to hospital sources. Reports indicate that the death toll could be as high as 100, with many bodies filling local hospitals and morgues. Videos circulating on social media depict scenes of chaos and violence, although their authenticity has not been confirmed by AFP. Witnesses claim the violence erupted after fans protested a referee's decision, leading to an invasion of the playing area.
The match was part of a pro-junta tournament supporting General Mamadi Doumbouya, who has been in power since a coup in September 2021. This tournament, aimed at bolstering Doumbouya's potential candidacy in upcoming presidential elections, has seen increased tensions among supporters. Eyewitness accounts describe a chaotic scene where fans attacked the referee and threw stones, prompting security forces to respond with tear gas, which led to a stampede as people rushed for the exits. Some victims reportedly died from asphyxiation or were crushed in the ensuing panic.
