New Delhi [India], December 6 (HBTV): Human rights groups in Guinea have said they believe more than 135 football fans have been killed in a stampede at a stadium on Sunday, most of them children. The casualty figures, which is unverified, far exceed the official number of deaths at 56. 

The groups said the estimate was based on information from hospital, cemeteries, witnesses at the stadium, families of victims, mosques, churches and the local media. More than 50 others are still missing, it said.  

India has expressed grief over the stampede during a football tournament in Guinea's Nzerekore, which claimed 56 lives. New Delhi extended condolences to the victims' families and hoped for a swift recovery for the injured.

‘We are deeply saddened to learn about the tragic stampede during a football tournament in Nzerekore, Republic of Guinea, which claimed 56 precious lives and caused immense suffering,’ the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement on Friday.

Expressing solidarity with the people of Guinea, the MEA stated, ‘On behalf of the Government and the people of India, we extend our deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their loved ones and to the people of Guinea during this difficult time. We share their grief and stand in solidarity with the affected communities. Our thoughts and prayers are with them, and we hope for the swift recovery of the injured.’

India's statement came after at least 56 people died and many others were injured in a stampede at a football match in Guinea. Guinea's Information Minister Fana Soumah said investigations were underway to determine the cause of the crush at the stadium in Nzerekore, CNN reported.

Videos circulating on social media showed fans scrambling to escape the packed stadium. In an earlier statement, Guinea's Prime Minister Bah Oury said, ‘The government deplores the incidents that marred the football match between the Labe and Nzerekore teams this afternoon in Nzerekore.’

Oury added that the government was monitoring the situation and called for calm so hospital services could provide first aid to the injured. His statement did not mention specific details about what happened inside the stadium but promised a more detailed report later.

Deposed former leader of Guinea, Alpha Conde, criticized the organisers for holding the match amid existing tensions and restrictions, CNN reported.

Conde, ousted by junta leader Mamady Doumbouya in a 2021 coup, said, ‘While severe restrictions are maintained on events and rallies, including sports-related ones, it is imperative that we examine how this event was planned and executed.’

The football match was part of a tournament organized by Guinea's ruling military junta to support Doumbouya's candidacy, CNN reported, citing local media. Doumbouya is one of several figures who have seized power in Guinea since 2020.

(ANI)