Human rights groups in Guinea claim that over 135 football fans, mostly children, were killed in a stadium crush on Sunday—far exceeding the official death toll of 56.
The groups based their estimate on information from hospitals, cemeteries, stadium witnesses, victims’ families, mosques, churches, and local media. They also reported that more than 50 people are still missing.
Meanwhile, the military government cautioned against spreading “unverified” information, emphasizing that investigations into the tragedy in Nzérékoré, the country’s second-largest city, are ongoing.
Justice Minister Yaya Kaïraba Kaba announced the launch of a judicial inquiry into those responsible and warned that anyone spreading “unverified or malicious information” would face arrest and prosecution.
The incident was triggered by a controversial refereeing decision that led to violence. Police used tear gas as fans tried to flee the scene.
Rights groups criticized the game’s organizers and Guinea’s ruling military junta, who held the tournament to honor President Mamady Doumbouya.
They alleged that excessive tear gas was used in the enclosed stadium and reported that vehicles transporting officials struck people trying to escape.
Prime Minister Mamadou Oury Bah declared three days of national mourning for the victims on Tuesday.
Government spokesman Ousmane Gaoual told local Guineenews site that the country was “in mourning and we must respect the mourning of Guinea and the families” in response to a query about the number of victims.
“The government announces provisional figures and someone comes up with other figures, where is the contradiction? We didn’t say that these are final figures,” he was quoted as saying.
A local journalist in Nzérékoré previously told the BBC that the stadium was “packed to the rafters” with thousands of spectators before the tragic incident.
Paul Sakouvogi explained that the crush occurred at a single, very small exit as people attempted to escape.
Guinea is one of several African nations currently banned from hosting international football matches due to substandard facilities.
Other countries prohibited by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) include Ethiopia, Gambia, Chad, and Sierra Leone.