The recent tragedy in the city of N’Zérékoré, Guinea, during a deadly stampede in a stadium, has deeply shocked the families of the victims and the entire nation. The harrowing accounts of relatives retrieving the bodies of their loved ones from the morgue bear witness to the tragedy that unfolded. Jules Koevogui, the father of one victim, emotionally recounts the moment he discovered his daughter’s body and was finally able to take it back to give her a last dignified life.
The chaos that then descended on the stadium, fueled by the anger of the fans over a disputed refereeing decision, plunged the crowd into panic. Thousands of people tried to flee, creating an uncontrollable mass movement. The security forces used tear gas, sowing even more confusion and terror among the trapped spectators.
Survivors’ testimonies describe a chaotic scene where the police blocked the exits, exacerbating the situation and making the evacuation perilous. Maikan Fofana, a witness present during the stampede, describes the violence of the police repression and the impossibility of leaving the scene safely, resulting in unbearable scenes of trampling and falling.
It is difficult to understand how a sporting event, supposed to be a moment of joy and communion, could have turned into such a tragic nightmare. So many lives lost, so many families broken, so many unanswered questions. The Guinean authorities have promised to shed light on those responsible for this tragedy, but this will not be enough to ease the pain of the victims and their loved ones.
Through this tragedy, it is an entire nation that is mourning and demanding justice. Let us hope that such tragedies will not happen again and that strict measures will be taken to ensure the safety of sporting events in the future. The memory of the victims will remain forever etched in our hearts, as a reminder of the fragility of life and the need to protect those we love.