A tragic incident unfolded on Sunday at a soccer match in Nzerekore, the largest city in southern Guinea, resulting in a deadly stampede.

The chaos erupted during a local tournament final between the Labe and Nzerekore teams, organized in honor of Guinea's military leader, Mamady Doumbouya, who seized power in a 2021 coup. The turmoil began with a controversial referee decision that incited fans to storm the pitch, leading to violent clashes.

Local media reported that security forces attempted to restore order by deploying tear gas after supporters, angered by the disputed penalty, began throwing stones.

This escalation resulted in a stampede, with approximately 50 people feared dead, including children, as confirmed by local officials and media sources. Videos from the scene depicted fans fleeing the stadium, some climbing over high fences in desperation, while others lay injured on the ground.

The government of Guinea, led by Prime Minister Amadou Oury Bah, expressed deep regret over the incident, acknowledging the fatalities without specifying numbers.

Meanwhile, the National Alliance for Alternation and Democracy, a coalition of political parties, condemned the tournament as a ploy to bolster Doumbouya's political ambitions, calling for an investigation into the tragedy.

The stampede has drawn attention to the broader political context in Guinea, where Doumbouya's military regime has faced criticism for delaying a return to civilian rule. Despite international pressure, Doumbouya has not fulfilled his promise to transition power back to a civilian government by the end of 2024.