Stadium Tragedy in Guinea: Eyewitness Accounts and Investigation Underway

Guinea is in mourning after a tragic stadium incident left dozens dead. Get the latest updates and eyewitness testimony.

Guinea Mourns Victims of Stadium Crush

A tragic incident occurred in the southeastern Guinean city of Nzerekore on Sunday, leaving a nation in mourning. Mory Cisse had dropped off his 27-year-old brother at the stadium to watch a football match, unaware that it would be their final goodbye.

The brothers had been in Nzerekore to attend their father's funeral, which had taken place just a week prior. Seeking some distraction from their grief, they decided to watch the final of a local tournament, held in honor of Guinea's junta leader, Mamady Doumbouya. Little did they know, the day would end in devastating tragedy.

The tragedy on Sunday, resulting in the deaths of at least 56 people, including Mory Cisse's 27-year-old brother. Cisse had left the stadium before the chaos erupted, but soon received a distressing call from a friend. “It was at 19:00 local time... that a friend called me to tell me that the situation was very tense there (at the stadium),” Cisse recounted.

As Cisse tried to contact his brother, he realized something was terribly wrong. “I was told to call my brother's number but it was not going through,” he said. The devastating truth was revealed when Cisse arrived at the hospital, where he found his brother's lifeless body. A city administration official shed more light on the tragic events, stating that many of the victims were children who were caught in the turmoil after police fired tear gas.

Siba Alain Loua, a 17-year-old survivor, recounted his harrowing experience from his hospital bed. He described how he fell amidst the panic but managed to get back on his feet. “There were several deaths on the spot,” Loua somberly recalled. With the help of his friends, Loua made his way home the previous night, and the following morning, he sought medical attention at the hospital.

According to the government, the tragic events unfolded in the 82nd minute of the match, when a disputed red card sparked widespread outrage. Enraged fans began throwing stones, which escalated into violent clashes. In response to the tragedy, the government has issued a statement promising a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the stadium crush.

“We saw four bodies, all young. The gate fell on the children. The passing vehicles didn't even pay attention to people exiting; a small child was even violently run over,” said Moriba Haba, a 16-year-old secondary school student involved in the crush, told reporters.

“I was very scared. I have never witnessed things like this... I saw children crying, screaming their mothers' names. I was saddened but I didn't have the strength to help them.”