Clash between fans leaves at least 56 dead in Guinea: “Bodies lined up as far as the eye can see”.

“There are a hundred dead. Bodies are lined up as far as the eye can see in the hospital. Others are lying on the floor in the corridors. The morgue is full,” a doctor at the regional hospital told AFP on condition of anonymity as he was not authorized to speak. “There are dozens of dead,” said another doctor.
 

In videos posted on social networks, the authenticity of which AFP was unable to verify, numerous inert bodies can be seen. Other videos circulating on the networks show scenes of great confusion in the streets following the outbreak of clashes. “It all started with a dispute over a referee's decision. Fans then invaded the pitch,” a witness told AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity for his own safety.
 

According to press reports, the tournament was dedicated to the junta's leader, General Mamadi Doumbouya, who came to power in a coup in September 2021 and has since installed himself as president. Such tournaments have proliferated in recent weeks in Guinea, in what is perceived as support for a possible candidacy of Mr. Doumbouya in the next presidential elections.
 

The head of Guinea's military-dominated government, Amadou Oury Bah, on Monday “deplored” the clashes and called for calm. The government speaks of at least 56 deaths in “deadly stampedes”. “The government deplores the incidents that marred the soccer match between the Labé and N'Zérékoré teams,” it said on its Facebook page. “The government is monitoring the situation and reiterates its call for calm so that hospital services are not hindered in providing first aid to the injured,” it added.