A deadly crush at a soccer stadium in southeast Guinea on Sunday has left an estimated 135 people dead, according to a collective of local human rights organisations. This figure is more than double the official death toll of 56.
The tragedy unfolded in the town of Nzerekore after a controversial refereeing decision during the match led to crowd violence and police firing tear gas. The chaos caused a stampede as spectators attempted to escape the stadium.
On Tuesday, the Nzerekore human rights collective stated their estimate was based on information gathered from hospitals, cemeteries, witnesses, families of victims, mosques, churches, and local media.
“We now estimate 135 people died at the stadium, mostly children under the age of 18,” the group said, noting that more than 50 people are still missing. They accused security forces of using excessive tear gas and prioritising the safety of officials over the lives of spectators.
The group also alleged that vehicles transporting officials and others fleeing the stadium struck panicked spectators. It described the venue as overcrowded, with exits obstructed by security forces, exacerbating the disaster.
Blame was directed at both the tournament organisers and Guinea’s ruling junta, which provided technical and financial support for the event honouring military leader Mamady Doumbouya.
The government had pledged on Monday to investigate the incident but has not yet responded to the collective’s claims.
