Dozens of people have lost their lives after a penalty decision led to violent scenes at a stadium in Guinea.
A match in Guinea between Labe and Nzerekore descended into tragedy after a controversial refereeing decision led to a stampede at the Stade du 3 Avril in Nzerekore.
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According to Africaguinee.com, the referee awarded a penalty against Labe in the 83rd minute, causing a group of outraged fans to storm the pitch.
Dozens of people were killed on Sunday in clashes during a soccer match in GuineaThe violence occurred during a game between the Labe and Nzerekore soccer teams in the city of Nzerekore, the second-largest city in the West African nation. pic.twitter.com/NEMdzQiWPk
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Violence broke out between the opposing supporters, prompting security officials to use tear gas to disperse the crowd. Sadly, this caused a devastating stampede, which is said to have claimed the lives of dozens of people.
"The government deplores the incidents that marred the football match between the Labé and Nzerekore teams this afternoon in Nzérékoré," Prime Minister Bah Oury said in a statement, according to CNN.
"Victims were recorded during the crowd crush.
"The government is monitoring the development of the situation and reiterates its call for calm so that hospital services are not hindered in providing first aid to the injured," Oury said, with city authorities ordered to restore "social tranquillity."
It is noted that the official death toll is unknown at the moment, with Guinean media suggesting there were scores of bodies lying in the stadium, and mortuaries are reportedly full.
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By Lukhanyo Mtuta
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