CONAKRY, Guinea (AP) — In the wake of a tragic incident at a packed stadium in Nzerekore city, Kambaly Kouroumah is filled with despair as he searches for his 15-year-old brother, Adama, among the deceased. The chaos, which unfolded during a national soccer tournament final honoring military leader Mamadi Doumbouya, claimed the lives of dozens.
According to official estimates, 56 individuals lost their lives in the crowd surge, while human rights organizations in the Nzerekore region suggest the number could be as high as 135. More than 50 others are missing, including Adama, who meant the world to his older brother. “I want to see him now, dead or alive,” Kouroumah expressed, heartbreak evident in his voice.
The incident marks yet another tragedy in a series of devastating crowd disasters, occurring during the final match at the Third of April stadium, which had drawn tens of thousands of soccer fans, eager for their nation’s first-ever World Cup qualification and a successful run in the Africa Cup of Nations. The tournament was hosted almost 1,000 kilometers (621 miles) from the capital, Conakry, attracting not only adults but also numerous children.
Witnesses reported that pandemonium broke out when fans reacted violently to a contested penalty call thrown by the referee, resulting in stones being hurled onto the field. In response, security forces unleashed tear gas as spectators flooded onto the pitch. Some fans jumped over barriers to escape, while others were caught trying to force their way through the crowded main entrance, facing tragic consequences.
Videos captured the desperate scenes, with fans crying out for help and being trampled as they fought to escape the unrelenting crush. One victim was 15-year-old Jaquerine Keba Koévogui, whose father shared that she was not a frequent visitor to the stadium. “She loved soccer, but she preferred to watch it on TV,” said Jules Koevogui, who recounted how his daughter was separated from family members who were able to flee by jumping walls while she attempted to exit through the entrance.
Another father, Mamadou Sanoh, faced unbearable grief when his search for his 10-year-old son ended at the morgue. “I went to the morgue and saw his body. I cannot describe the shock I am feeling,” Sanoh lamented.
The opposition National Alliance for Alternation and Democracy criticized the tournament’s organization, deeming it as a tactic to rally support for Doumbouya’s rule, which they branded “illegal and inappropriate.” While some reports indicated the stadium was packed to capacity, local sports journalist Cissé Lancine estimated the number of attendees to range between 20,000 and 30,000.
The coalition also condemned the use of tear gas by security forces, alleging that they obstructed stadium exits with their vehicles, further exacerbating the situation. In the aftermath, flags across Conakry and other regions have been lowered to half-mast as the nation observes three days of mourning.
Human rights organizations in Nzerekore are demanding accountability from the tournament’s organizers. The authorities have announced an investigation into the incident, intensifying scrutiny on Doumbouya, who has struggled to address the economic and political challenges facing Guinea since his takeover in 2021.
In response to the disaster, the United Nations in Guinea has promised rapid humanitarian efforts, offering medical and psychological support to the victims’ families. In a statement, they emphasized, “This tragedy underscores the pressing need for enhanced safety protocols in public spaces.”
As families grapple with their grief, many are contemplating preventive measures for the future. Joel Gbamou, a civil society activist who lost two sons in the tragedy, stated, “We must now keep our children away from large gatherings.”
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AP journalist Mark Banchereau in Dakar, Senegal, contributed to this report.
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