At least 56 people were killed on Sunday, December 1, 2024, in a devastating stampede at the Stade du 3 Avril in Nzérékoré, Guinea, West Africa, after chaos erupted during a national tournament match between local teams Labe and Nzérékoré. What began as a dispute over a refereeing decision quickly escalated into a tragedy that drew attention to the region’s persistent safety and political challenges.
The calamity unfolded in the 82nd minute when a penalty call infuriated fans. Stone-throwing by the crowd was met with tear gas from security forces, sparking panic among thousands of spectators trying to escape through the stadium’s limited exits. Witnesses described scenes of horror and desperation.
“The stone-throwing started, and the police joined in, firing tear gas,” recalled Amara Conde, a spectator. “In the rush and scramble that followed, I saw people fall to the ground, girls and children trampled underfoot. It was horrible.” Videos circulating on social media showed frantic fans climbing high walls to escape the crush.
The tournament, intended to honor Guinea’s military leader, Mamadi Doumbouya, has since faced fierce criticism. Doumbouya, who seized power in a 2021 coup, organized the event as part of a broader effort to build national unity. However, opposition groups viewed it as a self-serving display of power, accusing the government of exploiting the games to bolster Doumbouya’s political ambitions despite a constitutional ban on his presidential candidacy.
Former President Alpha Conde, who Doumbouya ousted, called the tournament emblematic of a nation in turmoil. “In a context where the country is already marked by tensions and mismanagement, organizing such an event was reckless,” Conde said.
In the aftermath of the disaster, the Guinean government declared three days of national mourning and launched an investigation to determine accountability.
The incident underscores long-standing safety concerns at African sports venues. While FIFA and the Confederation of African Football have worked to improve stadium management, tragedies persist.
In January 2022, a stampede in Yaoundé, Cameroon, claimed eight lives and injured 38 people. Globally, soccer stadium disasters have left an indelible mark. In October 2022, a stampede in Indonesia killed 125 people after police deployed tear gas during a match. Historical incidents such as the 1989 Hillsborough disaster in England, which killed 96 people, and the 2001 Accra Sports Stadium tragedy in Ghana, which claimed 126 lives, remain stark reminders of the risks posed by poor crowd control.
Nzérékoré, Guinea’s second-largest city, has long been a flashpoint for violence and unrest. In 2013, ethnic clashes left at least 54 people dead, while a 2020 constitutional referendum sparked riots that killed 32, with homes, shops, and churches set ablaze. The city also faced a health crisis in 2021 with an Ebola outbreak, compounding its struggles with political instability and inadequate infrastructure.
For Nzérékoré, the stadium tragedy is another painful chapter in a history marked by crises. The disaster has reignited calls for sweeping reforms in event management, public safety, and healthcare. Critics argue that the government’s failure to address these systemic issues has created a volatile environment where tragedies are all too common.