ReutersAt least 56 people have been killed in clashes after clashes at a soccer match in Guinea's second-largest city, Nzerekore, the government said.
Prime Minister Mamadou Uri Ba said the “scramble” at the event had led to a number of casualties on Sunday and called for calm.
One doctor, who did not want to be named, told AFP that there were “bodies lined up as far as the eye can see” in the hospital.
“Others are lying on the floor in the corridors. The morgue is full,” he added.
Local media reported that police fired tear gas after supporters of visiting team Labe threw rocks onto the pitch in anger at the referee.
“It all started with a disputed decision by the referee. Then fans invaded the pitch,” a witness told AFP.
Videos and images on social media appeared to show chaotic scenes outside the stadium, with large crowds trying to climb walls and scores of bodies on the ground.
Some of those lying unresponsive on the ground appear to be children.
The BBC was unable to independently verify these videos.
Paul Sakuwogi, a local journalist in Nzérékoré, told the BBC that internet access was limited in the region and that police were guarding the entrance to the hospital where the injured were being treated.
“I observed six police pickups stationed outside the three entrances of the hospital. They allowed only the medical staff to enter the hospital while the others were told to go back the way they came.”
An investigation is underway to find those responsible, Prime Minister Bach said in a statement, calling the events “tragic” and offering his condolences to the bereaved.
He also promised a complete medical and psychological examination of all victims.
Thousands of spectators were present when the disaster occurred at the match between Nzérékoré and Labé, local news website MediaGuinée reported.
It said Sunday's match was part of a tournament to honor President Mamadi Dumbuya, who seized power in a coup in September 2021.
In recent months, there has been increased surveillance of influential figures in Guinean football.
In July, Abubakar Sampil, who is president of the country's football body Feguifoot, became the subject of an investigation into corruption and violence in football.
A junior colleague accused Mr Sampil, who also heads the board of directors of local team ASK, of facilitating violence and trying to influence referees in a match ASK was losing 0-1 to Milo FC.
The latter team had to abandon the game and had trouble leaving the field safely, according to documents filed with Feguifoot's ethics body.
Among other things, Mr. Sampil was also accused of circumventing protocol and not literally assigning people to jobs.
He has always denied any wrongdoing.
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