Guinea stadium crush kills 56 after disputed refereeing decision

A controversial refereeing decision led to violence and a deadly stampede during a football match on Monday, in southeast Guinea, which crushed at least 56 people to death, according to the government.

The tragedy unfolded during a tournament final honouring Guinea's military leader Mamady Doumbouya at a stadium in Nzerekore, one of the nation's largest cities.

During the match, tensions escalated when fans began throwing stones, igniting panic among the crowd and, according to eye witness accounts, chaos broke out as police deployed tear gas to control the situation.

A video authenticated by Reuters showed dozens of people scrambling over high walls to escape.

"The government deplores the incidents that marred the football match between the Labe and Nzerekore teams this afternoon in Nzerekore. During the stampede, victims were recorded," said Prime Minister Mamadou Oury Bah, in a statement, adding that local authorities were working to restore order.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, an official from the city's administration said many victims were minors caught in the turmoil, and heartbreaking scene unfolded as some parents retrieved bodies before they were officially counted.

Videos and pictures shared online showed victims lined up on the ground. In one video, over a dozen inert bodies could be seen, several of them children.

Reuters was not immediately able to verify that footage.

Opposition group National Alliance for Change and Democracy said authorities bore responsibility for organising tournaments to bolster political support for Doumbouya in contravention of a transition charter prior to a promised presidential election.

There was no immediate response from the military junta to that accusation.