Clashes at Balato leave 10 dead and 13 injured in Guinea
The government says the violence broke out during a patrol enforcing a ban on illegal gold panning in the Siguiri region.
Violent clashes broke out on Wednesday, 11 November, at Sètiguiyah in the Balato district of Kintinian prefecture, in Guinea's Siguiri region. The government says at least 10 people were killed and 13 were injured, and that significant property damage was caused.
The clashes started during a control operation meant to enforce a ban on illegal gold panning, according to a communiqué from the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Decentralisation issued on Thursday, 12 November. Officials said the figures were provisional, and condemned the violence while calling on residents to stay calm.
The authorities have referred the matter to the courts to establish responsibility for the violence. The communiqué did not give a timetable for the judicial process.