Tragedy struck in N’Zerekore, Guinea’s second-largest city, as violent clashes during a football match claimed dozens of lives. According to hospital reports, the local medical facilities are overwhelmed, with bodies lining hallways and filling morgues.
Eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes sparked by a disputed referee decision that led fans to storm the pitch.
Angry protesters later vandalized and set fire to the local police station.
The match was part of a tournament reportedly organized in honor of Guinea’s junta leader, Mamadi Doumbouya, who took power in a 2021 coup.
This has raised concerns about the political undercurrents surrounding such events.
Videos circulating online show harrowing images of casualties and street chaos, though their authenticity is yet to be confirmed.
Authorities have not released an official death toll, but reports suggest the number could be as high as 100.
Doumbouya, who has been accused of authoritarianism and cracking down on dissent, recently elevated himself to the rank of army general.
While he initially promised a return to civilian governance by 2024, plans for elections have now been pushed to 2025, stirring further unrest in the politically volatile nation.
Guinea, despite its rich resources, remains mired in poverty, with decades of authoritarian rule fueling instability.
N’Zerekore, home to 200,000 people, now mourns a tragedy emblematic of deeper national struggles.
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