CONAKRY—A controversial refereeing decision sparked violence and a crush at a soccer match in southeast Guinea, killing 56 people according to a provisional toll, the government said on Monday.
The fatalities occurred during the final of a tournament in honour of Guinea’s military leader Mamady Doumbouya at a stadium in Nzerekore, one of the nation’s largest cities.
Some fans threw stones, triggering panic and a crush, the government statement said, promising an investigation.
A video authenticated by Reuters showed dozens of people scrambling over high walls to escape.
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.
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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.
