Conakry [Guinea], December 3: At least 56 people have been killed in Guinea and many injured after a mass panic among football fans, the government said on Monday.
That death toll is disputed by many in the country, who believe the true number of dead is closer to 100.
Clashes between rival fans broke out in the city of Nzerekore on Sunday after a red card was shown to a Labe player with the score at 0-0 late in the game. Fans of Labe started throwing stones and security forces then used tear gas, sparking the mass panic. It is not yet clear if the deaths were mainly caused by a stampede.
Prime Minister Bah Oury expressed his condolences to the families of the victims on behalf of the government of the West African country and announced an investigation into the accident. The football match was part of a political campaign by the ruling military junta in Guinea.
Source: Qatar Tribune
