A tragic incident at a football match in Guinea has resulted in the deaths of at least 56 people, with some reports suggesting the actual toll could be much higher. The crush occurred during a match in Nzérékoré, the country’s second-largest city, prompting an investigation and raising concerns about stadium safety and crowd control measures.
The incident reportedly unfolded after a controversial decision by the referee, who sent off two players from the visiting team and awarded a penalty kick. This sparked anger among fans, who threw stones onto the pitch, leading to police intervention with tear gas.
The ensuing chaos resulted in a stampede towards the stadium’s limited exits, with spectators crushing each other in a desperate attempt to escape. Videos and images circulating on social media depict harrowing scenes of people climbing over walls and numerous bodies lying on the ground, including children.
A local journalist described the stadium as “packed to the rafters” with only one small exit. He noted that internet access in the region has been restricted and that police are heavily guarding the hospital where the injured are being treated.
Prime Minister Oury Bah expressed his condolences and promised a full investigation to determine those responsible for the tragedy. He also pledged medical and psychological support for the injured.
Guinea’s football association, Feguifoot, expressed deep sorrow over the incident, emphasizing that football should unite people, not cause tragedy. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) also offered condolences and called for improved safety measures at stadiums.
This tragedy highlights the challenges faced by some African countries in meeting international safety standards for hosting football matches. Guinea is currently banned from holding international games due to inadequate stadium facilities.
The stadium where the crush occurred is reportedly an unfinished project that began decades ago. The match was part of a tournament honoring the country’s junta leader, raising questions about the prioritization of safety and security at the event.
The incident has also brought renewed attention to concerns about corruption and violence in Guinean football. The president of Feguifoot is currently under investigation for alleged corruption and attempts to influence match outcomes.
The tragedy in Nzérékoré serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safety and security at sporting events and the need for greater accountability and transparency within sports governing bodies.
About the author
Ferry Services Resume After Six Weeks of Disruption, But Delays Hit Holyhead Reopening
Ferry services to and from Holyhead Port have resumed after being disrupted for over six weeks due to damage sustained during Storm Darragh in early December. The storm caused significant damage to terminals 3 and 5 at the Welsh port, with terminal 5 operating on a temporary basis upon reopening. The Irish Ferries ship WB Yeats arrived in Dublin Port from Holyhead this morning, marking the resumption of services. However, the initial restart was not without problems. Ger Hyland, President of the Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA), reported a three-hour delay for the second ferry from Dublin to Holyhead due to an electrical fault at the port. Hyland expressed concern about the port's readiness, citing the large backlog of freight on the Welsh side. He emphasized the potential for "huge disaster" for the haulage sector, passengers, and Ireland's imports […]
Conor McGregor Named in Civil Lawsuit Alleging Sexual Assault at NBA Finals
Conor McGregor, the mixed martial arts fighter and former UFC champion, is facing a civil lawsuit alleging sexual assault at the Kaseya Center (formerly FTX Arena and American Airlines Arena) in Miami during the NBA Finals on June 9, 2023. The plaintiff alleges that McGregor assaulted her in a bathroom at the venue and is seeking unspecified damages from both McGregor and the Miami Heat Limited Partnership, the arena's ownership group. McGregor has denied the allegations through a spokesperson, dismissing them as a "shakedown." While the Miami Police Department initiated an investigation following a report filed on June 11, 2023, the Florida State Attorney’s Office declined to file criminal charges in October 2023. This declination does not preclude the pursuit of a civil suit, which has a different standard of proof than criminal proceedings. The lawsuit also details […]
Hollyoaks ‘Bad Boy’ Paul Danan Dies at 46
Paul Danan, best known for his role as Sol Patrick in the British soap opera Hollyoaks, has died at the age of 46, his management has confirmed. Danan portrayed the "bad boy" character on the Channel 4 show from 1997 to 2001 and subsequently became a familiar face on reality television. Independent Creative Management shared a statement with the PA news agency, expressing their sadness at Danan's passing and describing him as "a beacon of light to so many." They requested privacy for his family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time. Beyond Hollyoaks, Danan participated in the reality dating show Celebrity Love Island in both 2005 and 2006. He also appeared on Celebrity Big Brother (Channel 5) in 2017, where he was an early evictee and expressed hope that the show would revive his career. He frequently […]
Bandits Kill Three Telecom Workers in Kebbi State
Four people were killed in a bandit attack at a telecommunications construction site near the Nigeria-Niger border, Kebbi State police confirmed Saturday. The victims included three Airtel Communications employees and one local resident. The attack occurred on January 10 at approximately 8:47 pm in Gumki village, Arewa Local Government Area, where the workers were installing a surveillance mast for the Nigeria Immigration Service. The attackers, identified as suspected members of the Lakurawa bandit group, targeted the construction site. Kebbi State Police Commissioner Bello Sani and Immigration Service Comptroller Muhammad Bashir Lawali responded immediately to the incident, overseeing the transfer of victims' bodies to Sir Yahaya Memorial Hospital in Birnin Kebbi. In response to the attack, the Police Commissioner has strengthened security in the area by deploying additional tactical teams specifically tasked with targeting the Lakurawa bandits. He also organized a […]
‘The Right Man Won’t Be Scared’, Dancer Kaffy Speaks on Love After Divorce
Popular Nigerian dancer Kafayat Shafau, known professionally as Kaffy, has addressed speculation about dating following her 2022 separation from Joseph Ameh. The dancer and author dismissed the notion that successful women intimidate potential partners, stating confidently that the right man will approach her without fear. "A man who knows what he wants goes for it," Kaffy explained in an interview with Saturday Beats. While acknowledging that women can be successful independently, she emphasized that wanting companionship is natural, though not desperate. "Any man who has me is blessed," she added, reflecting her strong sense of self-worth. Speaking about her separation from Ameh, Kaffy maintained a remarkably mature perspective. Rather than assigning blame, she described it simply as two people no longer being in agreement. She emphasized the importance of prioritizing mental well-being, especially as a parent, over staying in an […]
Road Rage Incident in Temiskaming Shores, Canada
A 37-year-old suspect from Englehart, Ontario, has been charged in connection with a road rage incident that took place in Temiskaming Shores. The alarming event, captured on the victim’s dash cam, shows a white Toyota Rav 4 intentionally chasing and eventually ramming into the victim’s vehicle. The incident occurred on December 30th at around 1 p.m. at the intersection of Highway 11 and Highway 65 in Temiskaming Shores. In a news release on Friday, the Temiskaming Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) stated: "The Temiskaming Ontario Provincial Police is seeking assistance from the public in locating anyone having video/dash camera footage in relation to collisions and erratic driving" linked to this incident. Following the collision, OPP officers made several attempts to stop the suspect's vehicle, ultimately deploying a spike belt. This action successfully halted the vehicle, and the driver was arrested without […]
Related
Healthcare CEO ‘s Killer Luigi Mangione May Face Death Penalty
Attorney General Pamela Bondi on Tuesday directed federal prosecutors to seek the death penalty for Luigi Mangione, the 26-year-old accused of fatally shooting UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York City last year. Mangione was federally charged in December with stalking and murdering Thompson, who was shot in midtown Manhattan. State prosecutors also charged him with first-degree murder in furtherance of terrorism. In her statement, Bondi described the directive as part of "President Trump's agenda to stop violent crime and Make America Safe Again," calling the killing "a premeditated, cold-blooded assassination that shocked America." She noted Thompson was "an innocent man and father of two young children." Mangione has pleaded not guilty to all charges. His lawyer did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the attorney general's directive. Federal indictment proceedings are on hold while state prosecutors pursue […]
Investors Bet Big on European Resurgence: $11 Billion Flood into ETFs in ‘MEGA’ Trend
U.S. investors poured a record $10.6 billion into exchange-traded funds focused on European stocks in the first quarter, seven times the inflows recorded a year earlier, according to data from BlackRock. As U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs and economic policies fuel uncertainty across markets, European equities have emerged as a bright spot. Tim Seymour, founder and chief investment officer of Seymour Asset Management, dubbed the burgeoning trend Make Europe Great Again, or MEGA. The resurgent interest in European ETFs reflects a sharp reversal in sentiment. Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the funds had seen net outflows of $6.4 billion. "It's a really massive swing," said Kristy Akullian, head of iShares Investment Strategy at BlackRock. In three of the last five calendar years, investors steered money out of European ETFs that trade in U.S. markets and into domestic […]
Russia Drafts 160,000 Men in Largest Military Call-Up Since 2011 Amid Growing Tensions
Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered the conscription of 160,000 men aged 18-30 in the country's most extensive military draft since 2011. The move is part of an ongoing expansion of Russia's armed forces, despite ongoing conflict in Ukraine and increased military tensions with NATO. The latest spring draft, running from April to July, surpasses the 2024 intake by 10,000 and aligns with Putin's goal of increasing Russia's overall military strength to nearly 2.39 million personnel. This includes raising the number of active servicemen to 1.5 million—an increase of 180,000 over three years. Vice Admiral Vladimir Tsimlyansky stated that the new conscripts would not be deployed to Ukraine. However, reports suggest that some have been killed in combat, particularly in Russia's border regions. In the early months of the full-scale war, conscripts were also sent to Ukraine despite official assurances […]
Deadly Myanmar Quake Kills 2700 Including 50 Preschool Children As Rescue Hopes Fade
Myanmar authorities observed a minute of silence Tuesday for victims of a devastating earthquake that claimed over 2,700 lives, including 50 children at a preschool near Mandalay. The commemoration occurred as aid organizations reported desperate conditions in affected areas, with survivors struggling to secure basic necessities like food, water, and shelter. Friday's magnitude 7.7 earthquake—Myanmar's strongest in over a century—struck at lunchtime, destroying both ancient pagodas and modern structures. Military leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing announced the death toll had reached 2,719, potentially exceeding 3,000, with 4,521 injured and 441 missing. The disaster also killed at least 20 people in neighboring Thailand. In Mandalay, sirens sounded at precisely 12:51 pm, marking the moment the earthquake struck. Rescue workers at the heavily damaged Sky Villa apartment complex lined up with hands clasped behind their backs to pay respects while officials […]
US Military Bombs Houthi Targets as Trump Warns Yemen Rebels Will Be Destroyed
The United States military conducted a series of air strikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen overnight, targeting multiple locations across the country. The bombing campaign hit areas near the capital Sanaa and throughout the northern province of Saada early Tuesday, continuing military operations that began in mid-March. According to Houthi-affiliated Al Masirah TV, US forces launched 15 raids on Saada province, including the city of Saada and the districts of Majz and Sahar. Reports indicated Mount Nabi Shuaib in the Bani Matar district of Sanaa province was also targeted. No immediate casualty reports emerged from Tuesday's strikes, though the Houthis claim that at least 61 people have been killed in Yemen since US bombardments intensified on March 15. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) released two videos on social media showing fighter jets taking off and missiles being launched from an […]
8 Year Old Girl Kidnapped For Child Marriage Sparks Outrage Across Somalia
Outrage has erupted across Somalia after the discovery of an eight-year-old girl living with a self-proclaimed "husband" following her six-month disappearance. The child, who vanished from her home in Puntland last September, was initially reported missing by her family. Authorities later discovered that her father had allegedly consented to her marriage to an adult man identified as Sheikh Mahmoud. Security forces intervened last week, surrounding the man's residence and forcibly entering after he barricaded himself in a room with the child. The incident has triggered widespread social media anger and public demonstrations in Mogadishu. "What's more shocking than the tragedy itself are the allegations of abduction and the fact that her family had no knowledge of her whereabouts for months," said Fadumo Ahmed, chairperson of the Somali Women Vision Organisation. According to the girl's uncle, she was taken from Bosaso […]
Be the first to leave a comment