At least 56 people have died, and several others were injured following a stampede during a football match in Nzerekore, Guinea, on Sunday.
The tragedy occurred during the final match of a local tournament when rival fans stormed the pitch in protest against a penalty decision by the referee.
Security forces attempting to restore order reportedly used teargas, which caused panic among the crowd and led to the deadly stampede.
Videos from the scene show spectators scrambling to escape, with some climbing fences in desperation.
Other footage captured injured individuals receiving medical attention at a hospital, where resources appeared to be stretched thin.
In a statement released on Monday, the Guinean government confirmed the death toll and announced that an investigation is underway to identify those responsible for the incident.
The government also pledged to cover the medical expenses of the injured.
Amadou Oury Bah, Guinea’s Prime Minister, called for calm in a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter), urging the public to allow emergency services to provide uninterrupted care to victims.
“The regional authorities are working to restore calm and serenity among the population,” the statement read.
“The government is monitoring the situation and reiterates its call for calm so that hospital services are not hindered in providing first aid to the injured.”
Authorities are continuing efforts to restore order in Nzerekore while seeking to uncover the circumstances that led to the tragic incident.
Meanwhile, local leaders and organizations have called for stricter security protocols at public events to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
The tragedy marks one of the deadliest incidents in Guinea’s recent football history, leaving the nation in mourning and raising serious concerns about crowd management at sporting events.