At least 56 people have lost their lives in a tragic stampede during a football match in Nzérékoré, Guinea’s second-largest city, the government has confirmed.

The disaster unfolded after escalating tensions over a controversial decision by the referee, who sent off two players from the visiting team, Labé, and awarded a disputed penalty kick.

Prime Minister Oury Bah, in a statement, described the incident as “tragic” and extended condolences to the victims’ families. He announced the launch of an inquiry to identify those responsible.

Witness accounts paint a harrowing picture of the aftermath. A doctor speaking anonymously to AFP described the hospital overwhelmed with casualties. “Bodies are lined up as far as the eye can see. Others lie on the floor in the hallways, and the morgue is at capacity,” the doctor said.

Local media reports indicate that violence erupted when Labé supporters, angered by the referee’s decisions, began hurling stones at the pitch. Police reportedly responded with tear gas, further fueling the chaos that led to the fatal crush.

The tragedy has sparked shock and mourning across the nation, with calls for accountability and improved crowd management at sporting events to prevent future disasters.