Some 135 individuals had been killed in a crush at a soccer stadium in southeast Guinea on Sunday, an area group of human rights organisations mentioned, sharing an estimated loss of life toll greater than twice as excessive because the official toll of 56.
A controversial refereeing resolution sparked crowd violence and tear gasoline volleys from police through the match within the city of Nzerekore, resulting in a lethal scrum as spectators tried to flee.
A collective of human rights teams in Nzerekore area mentioned on Tuesday its larger estimate was based mostly on info from the hospital, cemeteries, witnesses on the stadium, households of victims, mosques, church buildings, and the native press.
“We now estimate 135 individuals died on the stadium, largely youngsters below the age of 18,” it mentioned in a press release, including that over 50 individuals had been nonetheless lacking.
The group blamed safety forces for utilizing extreme tear gasoline and prioritising the safety of officers over spectators.
It additionally mentioned automobiles carrying officers and others escaping the stadium had struck spectators as they tried to flee what it described as an overcrowded venue whose gate was being obstructed by safety forces.
It mentioned it held the match organisers accountable in addition to Guinea’s ruling junta, as they offered technical and monetary assist for the occasion honouring navy chief Mamady Doumbouya.
The federal government, which promised on Monday to launch an investigation, has not responded to the group’s assertion.
This text was produced by Reuters information company. It has not been edited by World South World.