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Fifty-six people were killed and several injured in a stampede at a soccer stadium in Nzerekore, Guinea, on Sunday, following clashes between fans during a local tournament.

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Authorities are investigating the cause of the incident, as confirmed by Guinea’s Communications Minister, Fana Soumah. The stampede occurred during the final between Labe and Nzerekore teams, held to honor Guinea’s military leader, Mamadi Doumbouya.  According to local media and political groups, several children were among the victims.  Some outlets have reported that 100 people could be deceased, though that has not been confirmed.

The chaos began after a disputed penalty, which led to angry supporters throwing stones.  Security forces responded by using tear gas, further escalating the situation.  Local media reported that some of the injured were in critical condition at a regional hospital.  Videos from the scene showed people scrambling to escape the stadium, some climbing a high fence, while others were seen lying injured in a hospital. An opposition coalition, the National Alliance for Alternation and Democracy, called for an investigation into the event, accusing the tournament of promoting Doumbouya’s political agenda.

Guinea has been under military rule since a 2021 coup ousted President Alpha Conde. Doumbouya, who led the coup, has been criticized for failing to meet reform promises and delaying the return to civilian governance. His leadership is part of a broader pattern of military takeovers in West Africa, which has led to the region being referred to as Africa’s “Coup Belt.”

The situation mirrors a similar soccer stampede in Indonesia in 2022. That incident resulted in 125 deaths.