Opposition parties had organised the protest in the capital's main football stadium, which drew some 50,000 people. Demonstrators chanted "We want true democracy."
But soldiers from the presidential guard entered the stadium and fired into the crowd, reportedly using tear gas, live ammunition and baton charges against the demonstrators.The number killed in the attack remains unclear, but witnesses reported seeing dozens of bodies.
A doctor, speaking on condition of anonymity, told AFP that 58 people had been brought to a Conakry morgue on Monday.
"We have counted 52 bodies and six more have just come in," said the doctor at the Donka university medical centre.
But a member of the Red Cross told AFP that military commanders had issued instructions for all bodies to be taken to the Alpha Yaya Diallo military camp, rather than to morgues.
Elsewhere, at Ignace Deen hospital, a medical source told AFP that an army truck had come by to pick up "dozens of bodies" to be taken to "an unknown destination".
Tensions have risen amid rumours that military leader Capt Moussa "Dadis" Camara may run in presidential elections scheduled for Jan 31.
Capt Camara came to power in a coup last December, hours after longtime dictator Lansana Conte died. He initially said he would not run in the election, but has recently said he has the right to run if he chooses.
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