Some 135 people were killed in a crush at a soccer stadium in southeast Guinea on Sunday, a local group of human rights organisations said, sharing an estimated death toll more than twice as high as the official toll of 56.

A controversial refereeing decision sparked crowd violence and tear gas volleys from police during the match in the town of Nzerekore, leading to a deadly scrum as spectators tried to flee.

A collective of human rights groups in Nzerekore region said on Tuesday its higher estimate was based on information from the hospital, cemeteries, witnesses at the stadium, families of victims, mosques, churches, and the local press.

“We now estimate 135 people died at the stadium, mostly children under the age of 18,” it said in a statement, adding that over 50 people were still missing.

The group blamed security forces for using excessive tear gas and prioritising the protection of officials over spectators.

It also said vehicles carrying officials and others escaping the stadium had struck spectators as they tried to flee what it described as an overcrowded venue whose gate was being obstructed by security forces.

It said it held the tournament organisers responsible as well as Guinea’s ruling junta, as they provided technical and financial support for the event honouring military leader Mamady Doumbouya.

The government, which promised on Monday to launch an investigation, has not responded to the group’s statement.

-Reuters

When Mory Cisse dropped his 27-year-old brother off at a stadium in the southeastern Guinean city of Nzerekore to watch a soccer match after lunch on Sunday, he had no idea it would be the last time he saw him alive.

His brother had been in town for the funeral of their father who died last week, and the two had gone to watch the final of a tournament in honour of Guinea’s junta leader Mamady Doumbouya.

Cisse left before chaos erupted in the stadium, leading to a crush that killed at least 56 people, including his brother.

“It was at 7 p.m. that a friend called me to tell me that the situation was very tense there (at the stadium),” Cisse said.

“I was told to call my brother’s number but it was not going through. It was when I went to the hospital that I found his body.”

A city administration official said many victims were children caught in the turmoil after police started firing tear gas.

“We saw four bodies, all young. The gate fell on children. The passing vehicles didn’t even pay attention to people exiting; a small child was even violently run over,” said Moriba Haba, a 16-year-old secondary school student involved in the crush, told Reuters.

“I was very scared. I have never witnessed things like this … I saw children crying, screaming their mothers’ names. I was saddened but I didn’t have the strength to help them.”

Siba Alain Loua, a 17-year-old speaking from a hospital bed, said he fell when the panic started but managed to stand up.

“There were several deaths on the spot,” he said.

“My friends helped me get home last night. This morning we came to the hospital for treatment.”

The crush was triggered by a disputed red card in the 82nd minute of the match. Fans threw stones, sparking violence, the government said in a statement promising an investigation.

“The tragedy is immense – it’s overwhelming and I’m at a loss for words,” said Kolie Pepe, a Nzerekore resident who lost a sister.

“Honestly, the organisation was not good… Everything should have been well prepared at the military camp for good security at the event.”

-Reuters

Here is a look at major disasters in soccer stadiums over recent decades after 56 people were killed during a stadium crush in Guinea sparked by an on-field controversy.

December 2024, Guinea

A disputed refereeing decision triggered violence and a crush at a soccer match in the southeastern city of Nzerekore, killing 56 people, authorities said.

October 2022, Indonesia

At least 125 people died and more than 320 were injured after a football match in East Java involving Arema FC and Persebaya Surabaya. Arema FC supporters invaded the pitch at Kanjuruhan Stadium in Malang following a 3-2 defeat and police fired tear gas, triggering a crush and suffocation.

January 2022, Cameroon

At least eight people died and 38 were injured in a crush at the Yaounde Olembe Stadium in Cameroon before the host country’s Africa Cup of Nations last-16 game against Comoros.

February 2012, Egypt

Fans rioted at the end of a match between rivals Al-Masry and Al-Ahly in the city of Port Said. At least 73 people were killed and more than 1,000 injured, and the Egyptian league was suspended for two years.

March 2009, Cote d’Ivoire

At least 19 people were killed during chaos at Abidjan’s Felix Houphouet-Boigny stadium before a World Cup soccer qualifying match against Malawi.

May 2001, Ghana

Around 126 people were killed in a crush at Accra’s main soccer stadium when police fired tear gas at rioting fans in one of Africa’s worst soccer disasters.

April 2001, South Africa

At least 43 people were crushed to death when soccer fans tried to force their way into Johannesburg’s huge Ellis Park Stadium midway through a top South African league match.

October 1996, Guatemala

Up to 82 people died and at least 147 were injured when an avalanche of fans tumbled down seats and a flight of stairs at a World Cup qualifying match between Guatemala and Costa Rica in Guatemala City.

May 1992, France

A stand at Bastia’s Furiani Stadium collapsed before a French Cup semi-final against Olympique de Marseille, killing 18 and injuring more than 2,300.

In 2021, the French parliament passed a law banning professional matches taking place in the country on May 5 in memory of the victims.

January 1991, South Africa

Forty-two people died in a crush during a pre-season game at the Oppenheimer Stadium in the mining town of Orkney between the Kaizer Chiefs and the Orlando Pirates. A Pirates fan had attacked Chiefs supporters in the crowd with a knife.

April 1989, Britain

96 Liverpool supporters were crushed to death in an over-crowded and fenced-in enclosure at the Hillsborough Stadium in Sheffield before an FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest.

A 97th victim died in 2021 after suffering irreversible brain damage from the Hillsborough disaster.

March 1988, Nepal

A rush towards locked exits in a hailstorm at Nepal’s national soccer stadium in Kathmandu killed more than 90 fans.

May 1985, Belgium

Thirty-nine fans died and more than 600 were injured in fan violence before the European Cup final between Juventus and Liverpool at the Heysel Stadium in Brussels.

May 1985, Britain

At least 56 people were killed and more than 200 injured when fire broke out in the stands at the Valley Parade stadium in Bradford during a third division match against Lincoln City.

October 1982, Russia

Fans were crushed as they left a UEFA Cup tie between Spartak Moscow and Dutch side HFC Haarlem at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.

Officials from the former Soviet Union did not disclose the tragedy for years. When they did, they gave an official death toll of 66 although the number who died in a crush at one exit could have been as high as 340.

-Reuters