Guinea stampede kills 24 during concert on beach

Tragedy occurred during celebrations to mark the end of Ramadan

People walking in a street in the capital of Guinea, Conakry. The Presidency has declared a week of mourning after 24 people were killed in a stampede at a concert in the Ratoma neighbourhood of the city, held to celebrate the end of Ramadan (Cellou Binani/AFP/Getty Images)

At least 24 people are believed to have been killed in a stampede in Guinea, during a celebratory concert marking the end of Ramadan.

Guinea’s Presidency has declared a week of mourning in light of the incident, which it has called a “tragic drama”.

The concert was held at a beach in the Ratoma neighbourhood of Guinea’s capital, Conakry, where Guinean rap group Instinct Killers were playing to celebrate the end of the Muslim holy month.

It is not known why the stampede occurred on Tuesday.

A statement from the Presidency noted some deaths but would not confirm the number of deaths. It said: “While waiting for the results of an investigation, information from health and security authorities indicate deaths and several injuries.”

AFP quoted Guinean hospital officials on the number of people killed, with 13 of the deaths believed to be girls, and quoted police sources who said dozens of people were injured.

The incident occurred at a time when health workers are already stretched by the outbreak of Ebola, which was first detected in Guinea in February. The deadly tropical virus has since spread to Liberia and Sierra Leone.