At Least 24 Dead in Guinea Rap Concert Stampede

A stampede during a rap concert on a Conakry beach Tuesday left at least 24 people dead, Guinean hospital officials said.

The government declared a week of national mourning after what it called a "tragic drama" on the beach in the capital city's northern Ratoma suburb where popular Guinean rap group Instinct Killers was playing among other artists.

Medics took at least 24 bodies including 13 girls to a hospital morgue at Donka, a hospital official told Agence France Presse.

"For the time being we have 24 bodies at the Donka hospital morgue and dozens of injured were rushed to various (Conakry) health centers after this deadly stampede," said a police officer.

The president's office said in a statement it was "shocked by the tragic drama caused by mass movements at a cultural event".

It did not give a toll.

An investigation has been launched to determine what caused the tragedy. The official in charge of organizing such events was suspended.