KEY POINTS
- A deadly stadium crush in Guinea killed at least 135 people.
- Rights groups call for an investigation into the Guinea stadium disaster.
- The incident highlights the need for better safety at stadiums.
At least 135 people were killed in a stampede at a football stadium in Guinea, local rights groups said. It was a crisis time during a match at Nongo Stadium in the capital city of Conakry, where people charged in to have access to the stadium, hence leading to a stampede that claimed lives. The tragedy has enraged the public, with human rights activists urging for an inquiry into what caused this disaster.
The occurrence happened during the preparation period of an advanced match between two leading football teams in Guinea. The supporters, craning to see the match, gathered around the gates of the stadium and suffocated, resulting in deaths. It is still unclear how many people have died, though rights groups such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have indicated the human loss could rise as people continue to be pulled out from the debris.
The chaos before the match
According to eyewitnesses, people started running in different directions, but most of them were not even close to the gates to enter the stadium. ‘I could not get out, and everyone was being crushed, the gates collapsed under pressure from the people,’ a survivor said to Reuters. Early autopsies showed that most of the victims suffocated to death or were beaten to death.
The Guinea Football Federation also offered its condolences to the grieving families, though they did not immediately explain the poor crowd control. It is also worth asking if all the facilities of a stadium and its safety conditions could accommodate such a large number of people.
Rights groups demand accountability
Following the tragedy, local and international rights organizations have urged the Guinean government to hold those responsible accountable. “This was a preventable disaster,” said Amnesty International in a statement. The group further called on the government to review safety protocols at sports venues across the country to ensure that such a tragedy does not occur again.
The United Nations has also expressed its sorrow over the loss of life and has promised to support any official inquiry into the disaster. “We stand in solidarity with the people of Guinea in these difficult times,” said a UN spokesperson.
A nation in mourning
As Guinea grapples with the aftermath of the tragedy, many are demanding justice for the victims and their families. The country’s football authorities have promised to conduct an investigation, but it remains unclear how long it will take for a full report to be released.
The incident highlights the risks associated with overcrowded sports events in countries with limited infrastructure and weak regulatory oversight. Guinea’s government now faces mounting pressure to improve safety measures at stadiums and prevent further loss of life.
