The president-general of the African Football and Other Sports Supporters Union (AFFOSSU), Dr Rafiu Oladipo has sent a condolence message to the Guinea Football Federation over the crush that occurred during a local football match earlier in the week.

At least 100 people were reportedly killed in a crush at a football match in Guinea’s second-largest city, Nzérékoré.

That death toll is disputed by many in the country, who believe the true number of dead is closer to 100.

Some reports indicate that events unravelled following a decision by the referee, who sent off two players from the visiting team, Labé, and awarded a controversial penalty kick.

In the message, Dr Oladipo the head of AFFOSSU remarked: “I hereby send my condolences on behalf of all sports supporters of Africa tithe Guinea Football Federation over the sad incidence. May the Souls of those who died during the collapse, rest in perfect peace.

AFFOSSU , the continental supporters club body, was formally recognised by CAF at a ceremony at Alisa Hotel North Ridge in Accra, Ghana in 2008.

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