by Mick the Ram

Dozens – possibly as many as 100 – football fans have been killed in violent clashes at a match in Guinea, West Africa.

Trouble started at the game in N’zérékoré, the country’s second largest city, following an angry reaction by fans after a penalty was awarded and two players received red cards.

It triggered shocking scenes with local media saying that police had used tear gas after supporters of the visiting team, Labé, threw stones towards the pitch in anger at the referee.

Chaos then ensued as supporters in the crowded stadium poured onto the pitch. It sparked a stampede that has led to multiple deaths and injuries, including it is being reported, many children.

A fearsome crush was the inevitable outcome, and those injured were ferried to a nearby hospital, with suggestion that a great many are in a critical condition.

Videos and images on social media appear to indicate complete pandemonium outside the ground with large numbers of people attempting to climb over walls and clear images of numerous bodies lay on the ground, the majority seemingly lying unresponsive.

One doctor, who was keen not to be named, told news agencies that there were “bodies lined up as far as the eye can see in the hospital, whilst others are lying on the floor in the hallways and the morgue is full.”

Prime Minister Mamadou Oury Bah called for calm. He stated that “the government deplores the incidents that marred the football match between the Labé and N’zérékoré and we are closely monitoring the situation.”

He reiterated the call for calmness, in order for the hospital services to continue to provide first aid to the injured, unhindered.

The National Alliance for Alternation and Democracy, a coalition of political parties, has blamed local authorities for their handling of the situation, saying they “bear significant responsibility for the tragic events” and have called for an investigation.

So far no official casualty figures have been given, but hospital sources initially reported “dozens of fatalities” and later altered the estimate to be “around 100”.

More information has been promised as soon as the full picture becomes clearer, but the feeling is the number of deaths could rise significantly.

Nzerekore, with a population of around 200,000, is located 570 kilometers (354 miles) south-east of the Guinea capital Conakry.

Naturally the violent unrest brought an abrupt end to proceedings. The match itself was part of a tournament in honour of the military leader who seized power in a coup in September 2021.