At least 56 people were killed, and several others injured in a deadly stampede and violent clashes during a soccer tournament final in Nzerekore, Guinea’s second-largest city, the government confirmed on Monday.

The tragic incident occurred on Sunday, during the closing moments of the match between Labe and Nzerekore teams at a stadium located approximately 570 kilometers (354 miles) from the capital, Conakry.

Prime Minister Amadou Oury Bah issued a statement expressing condolences to the victims’ families and announcing a thorough investigation into the events.

“The demonstrations of dissatisfaction with refereeing decisions led to stones being thrown by the fans, causing a deadly stampede. Hospital services report a provisional toll of 56 dead and several injured,” the statement said.

Witnesses reported that tensions flared in the final minutes of the game after Nzerekore scored a disputed goal. Fans clashed following controversial refereeing decisions, including two red cards and a penalty against the Labe team.

The chaos intensified as security forces intervened, reportedly using tear gas to control the situation, further exacerbating the stampede.

Unofficial accounts earlier suggested that the death toll might exceed 100, with numerous injuries reported. Local media described scenes of panic and overcrowding as fans attempted to flee the stadium.

The match was part of a local tournament sponsored by Guinea’s President, Gen. Mamady Doumbouya. The government pledged accountability, vowing to establish the cause of the incident and prevent future occurrences.

The tragedy has cast a shadow over Guinea’s sporting community, with calls for enhanced security and crowd management at future events.