December 2, 2024: A deadly stampede triggered by a controversial refereeing decision during a soccer match in Nzérékoré, southeast Guinea, has left at least 56 people dead, according to the government. The incident occurred on Sunday during the final of a tournament organized in honor of Guinea's military leader, Colonel Mamady Doumbouya. The match, which had drawn a large crowd to one of the country's largest stadiums, quickly descended into chaos after a disputed call by the referee sparked violence among the spectators.

According to government officials, some fans began throwing stones in protest, which led to panic and a stampede as people tried to flee the scene. Witnesses reported scenes of confusion, with many scrambling to escape the violence. In a viral video from the scene, dozens of people were seen climbing over high walls of the stadium in a desperate attempt to flee the chaos.

As the situation escalated, local authorities intervened by firing tear gas into the crowd, further intensifying the panic. A local official, speaking anonymously, said that many of the victims were minors who were caught in the turmoil. Some parents were seen retrieving the bodies of their children before they were officially counted.

The Guinean government has promised a full investigation into the incident. While the death toll remains provisional, the scale of the tragedy has shocked the nation, with widespread condemnation of the way the crowd was managed and the handling of the post-match violence. The final, originally intended to be a celebration of the junta's leadership, has instead left the country mourning a loss of life and grappling with questions about public safety and crowd control.