In brief
The violence erupted during a tournament match between Labe and Nzerekore teams, causing outrage and condemnation from the government as local hospitals struggled to handle the influx of casualties.
Dozens were reportedly killed on Sunday in violent confrontations during a soccer match in Guinea, according to various media outlets. The unrest unfolded during a game between the Labe and Nzerekore teams in Nzerekore, the second-largest city in the West African country. While the precise death toll remained unclear, Agence France-Presse cited local health officials who reported "dozens dead," with one doctor estimating the casualties could be closer to "around 100."Guinea’s Prime Minister, Bah Oury, denounced the violence in a statement shared on social media, expressing sorrow over the troubling events that unfolded during the football match. He urged the public to remain calm to ensure hospitals could adequately attend to the injured and manage the situation effectively. Details surrounding the cause of the violence are still emerging. Witnesses claimed the clashes erupted following a contentious decision by a referee, which incited fans to storm the field. Local medical staff reported that both the hospital and morgue were quickly filling with the deceased, raising alarms about the overwhelming number of casualties.The match was part of a sports tournament dedicated to Col. Mamady Doumbouya, Guinea's military leader who came into power in a coup back in 2021. Nzerekore, home to roughly 200,000 residents, is located about 555 miles southeast of the capital. This is an unfolding situation that is being closely monitored for further updates.
