The Collective of Human Rights Organizations of the Nzerekore region said on Tuesday that based on information from the hospital, cemeteries, witnesses at the stadium, families of victims, mosques, churches and the local press, it estimated that a total of 135 people died at the stadium – mostly children under the age of 18 – while more than 50 others were still missing.

A controversial refereeing decision led to crowd violence and tear gas volleys from police during the match in the town of Nzerekore on Sunday, leading to a deadly stampede as spectators tried to flee.

The match was the final of a cup tournament organised in honour of the head of the military government, Mamady Doumbouya, who seized power in a 2021 coup and installed himself as president.

The collective blamed security forces for using excessive tear gas and prioritising the protection of officials over spectators.

It is also said vehicles carrying officials 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 security forces.

Separately, the opposition alliance the Living Forces of Guinea (FVG) said in a statement that the crush had killed “around one hundred people”.

The High Council of the Diaspora, an organisation of Guineans living abroad, also published a statement declaring “300 deaths, most of them young people and teenagers, and hundreds of injured, some seriously”.

The military-led government has warned that anyone publishing “unverified or malicious information” about the incident will face arrest.

Justice Minister Yaya Kairaba Kaba said in a video published on Facebook late on Tuesday that “disseminating unverified or malicious information on social media that is likely to disturb public order is inadmissible and exposes those responsible to sanctions.”

“I warn that anyone who engages in such behaviour will be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law,” he added.

Doumbouya has pledged to set up a commission of inquiry into Sunday’s tragedy to determine the cause of the stampede and hold perpetrators accountable.

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.

Paul Sakouvogi, a local journalist in Nzérékoré said that internet access in the region had been restricted, and that police were guarding the entrance to the hospital where the injured were being treated.

“I observed six police pick-ups positioned in front of the three entrances to the hospital. They allowed only the medical staff to access the hospital, while the others were told to go back the way they came.”

Prime Minister Bah has paid tribute to the dozens of people killed and promised full medical and psychological support to all those injured.

Thousands of spectators were present when the crush happened at a match between Nzérékoré and Labé, local news website MediaGuinée reported.

It said Sunday’s match was part of a tournament in honour of President Mamady Doumbouya, who seized power in a coup in September 2021.

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.

In recent months there has been increased scrutiny of powerful figures in Guinean football.

In July, Aboubacar Sampil, who is president of the country’s football body Feguifoot, became the subject of an investigation into corruption and violence in football.

A junior colleague accused Mr Sampil, who also leads the board of directors for local team ASK, of facilitating violence and trying to influence referees at a match that ASK was losing 0-1 to Milo FC.

The latter team had to abandon the game and had trouble leaving the ground safely, according to documents filed to Feguifoot’s ethics body.

Among other things, Mr Sampil has also been accused of bypassing protocol and unliterally appointing people to jobs.

He has always denied any wrongdoing.