Stade du 3 Avril
Interactive map of Stade du 3 Avril | |
| Full name | Stade du 3 Avril |
|---|---|
| Location | Nzérékoré, Guinea |
| Coordinates | 7°45′29″N 8°49′03″W / 7.7581°N 8.8175°W |
Stade du 3 Avril is a football stadium in Nzérékoré, southern Guinea. It is the only stadium in Nzérékoré Prefecture.[1] In August 2023, the stadium hosted a tournament between 20 regional clubs.[2][3] The venue has been in poor quality for multiple years. Renovation work started on the stadium in 2008, but was later halted, in part due to political instability. The stadium was reported to have a muddy field, a half-finished roof, unfinished stands, and unbuilt bathroom facilities and ticket offices.[1][4][5] Although athletes continued to train and play in the stadium, the structure was also reported to be used by local drug users.[5] Local authorities had been trying for years to secure funding to improve the structure.[4]
December 2024 stampede
On 1 December 2024, a stampede and crowd crush at the stadium resulted in at least 56 deaths.[6] Civil society groups reported 135 casualties, most of them children.[7] According to reports, many others would be injured, as Stade du 3 Avril was hosting the finals of a football tournament to honor Mamady Doumbouya, on Sunday afternoon. Thousands were in attendance at the stadium, with witnesses claiming a disputed red card was awarded by the referee to the home team.[8] Fans of the away team rushed onto the pitch, throwing stones, prompting security personnel to respond by releasing teargas into the stadium. The resulting stampede would result in many running over each other in their attempt to get away.[8]
Bah Oury, Guinea's Prime Minister, issued a statement in condemnation of the violence, urging civilians to remain calm. The government would later release a public statement.[8] The National Alliance for Alternation and Democracy opposition coalition called for an investigation into the incident.[8] It was believed the tournament was organised to gain support for Doumboya's "illegal and inappropriate" political ambitions.
References
- ^ a b "N'Zérékoré : Les travaux de reconstruction du stade arrêtés, les autorités tirent sur la sonnette d'alarme. !" [N’Zérékoré: Stadium reconstruction work stopped, authorities sound the alarm. !]. Guineefoot (in French). 29 April 2016. Archived from the original on 4 December 2024. Retrieved 3 December 2024.
- ^ Hamidou Bangoura (3 July 2023). "Nzérékoré: a 20-club football tournament announced at the April 3 stadium". africasport.org. Archived from the original on 17 July 2024. Retrieved 5 December 2024.
- ^ Hamidou Bangoura (10 August 2023). "Nzérékoré: the April 3 stadium will host the final of the Forêt foot tournament this Saturday". africasport.org. Archived from the original on 15 July 2024. Retrieved 5 December 2024.
- ^ a b Diallo, Pathé (11 October 2023). "Stade du 3 avril de Nzérékoré : le directeur préfectoral tire la sonnette d'alarme" [Stade Du 3 Avril De Nzérékoré: The Prefectural Director Sounds The Alarm.]. PLANETE 7 (in French). Archived from the original on 13 October 2023. Retrieved 3 December 2024.
- ^ a b "N'zérékoré : le stade du 3 avril et la maison des jeunes, dans un état de délabrement très avancé" [N’zérékoré: the April 3 stadium and the youth center, in a very advanced state of disrepair]. Lolaplus. 4 July 2020. Retrieved 3 December 2024.
- ^ "Dozens dead after stampede breaks out at Guinea football match". Al Jazeera. 2 December 2024. Archived from the original on 4 December 2024. Retrieved 5 December 2024.
- ^ "Civil Society Groups Say More Than 56 Dead In Guinea Stadium Crush". Agence France-Presse. Retrieved 3 December 2024.
- ^ a b c d Egbejule, Eromo (2 December 2024). "At least 56 people killed in crush at Guinea football stadium". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 14 March 2026.