More than 6 killed in Guinea virus protests

More than six people among protesters and police officers were killed during demonstrations on Tuesday in the Coyah, Dubreka and Kamsar areas of Guinea.

People in the streets protested against the lack of electricity and demanded the checkpoints installed by security forces to restrict movement be lifted.

The checkpoints were a measure aimed at reducing the spread of the new coronavirus.

Protesters said they were dispersed with tear gas and firearms.

In a statement the government said it regretted the deaths of both protesters and officers.

Several government offices were burnt and ransacked, including the police station in Coyah. The gendarmerie stations in Maneah was vandalised.

The protests took place as the Guinean government reported 2,374 COVID-19 cases and 14 deaths as of Wednesday.