More than 50 people feared dead in horrific football stadium stampede after penalty incident
Reports suggest that up to 50 people may have died after a stampede during a football match in southeast Guinea.
Bah Oury, the Prime Minister of Guinea, has confirmed that the incident has caused multiple casualties.
The stampede is said to have broken out after rival fans got into a dispute over a penalty awarded during the match.
Following confirmation of the tragic accident, the Prime Minister didn't confirm any fatalities, but called for 'social tranquility.'
“The government deplores the incidents that marred the football match between the Labe and Nzerekore teams this afternoon in Nzerekore,” Prime Minister Oury said in a statement.
“Victims were recorded during the crowd crush” he added.
“The government is monitoring the development of the situation and reiterates its call for calm so that hospital services are not hindered in providing first aid to the injured.”
Oury didn't confirm the exact number of injuries, but confirmed that a more detailed report of what happened in the stadium would follow.
However, a local official has since told Reuters news agency, via Sky News, that around 50 people are feared to have been killed.
The stampede is reported to have broken out over a disputed penalty decision that resulted in a fight between rival fans.
"This (the disputed penalty) angered supporters who threw stones," reported local outlet Media Guinea.
"This is how the security services used tear gas."
Guinea Panorama added that violence 'quickly escalated, and scenes of panic invaded the stadium, while police used tear gas'.
The match between Labe and Nzerekore took place on Sunday and was reportedly the final of a tournament held in honour of the country's military leader Mamady Doumbouya.
Political opposition group National Alliance for Change and Democracy reportedly said that authorities have "significant responsibility for these grave events".
Unverified footage of the stampede appears to show fans scaling a wall as they tried to flee the stadium in southeastern Guinea.
Topics: Football
Ben McCrum