At least 56 people have been killed in a crush following clashes at a football match in Guinea’s second-largest city, Nzérékoré, the government says.

An inquiry is being launched to find those responsible, Prime Minister Oury Bah said in a statement, calling the events “tragic” and offering his condolences to the bereaved.

One doctor, who did not want to be named, told AFP news agency there were “bodies lined up as far as the eye can see in the hospital”.

“Others are lying on the floor in the hallways. The morgue is full,” he added.

Local media said police had used tear gas after supporters of the visiting team, Labé, threw stones towards the pitch in anger at the referee.

“It all started with a contested decision by the referee. Then fans invaded the pitch,” one witness told AFP.

Videos and images on social media appear to show chaotic scenes outside the stadium, with large crowds attempting to climb over walls and numerous bodies on the ground.

Some of those lying unresponsive on the ground appear to be children.

Sunday’s match was part of a tournament in honour of President Mamady Doumbouya, who seized power in a coup in September 2021, local news website MediaGuinée reported.

Similar football tournaments in honour of the junta leader have been organised in other parts of the country, with the opposition condemning it as a ploy to support a possible candidacy of Doumbouya during upcoming elections.

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