135 Killed in Guinea Soccer Stadium Stampede

A tragic stampede during a soccer match in Nzerekore, Guinea, resulted in at least 135 deaths, according to local human rights groups, significantly higher than the official toll of 56. The chaos was ignited by a controversial refereeing decision, leading to crowd violence and the use of tear gas by police, which exacerbated the panic as spectators attempted to flee. The human rights organizations criticized security forces for prioritizing the protection of officials over the safety of fans and holding tournament organizers and the ruling junta responsible for the calamity. This incident underscores the underlying political tensions in Guinea, where the military government, led by Mamady Doumbouya, faces growing opposition. Prime Minister Amadou Oury Bah has called for peace and promised an investigation into the violence. The tragedy raises serious concerns about the stability of the country amid ongoing political upheaval.