A devastating road accident has claimed the lives of at least 20 athletes from the Kano State contingent. The incident occurred at Dakatsalle Bridge in the Kura Local Government Area of Kano State as the athletes were returning from the recently concluded National Sports Festival in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Umar Fagge, Chairman of the Kano State Sports Commission, confirmed the tragedy, stating that several others sustained injuries of varying severity during the crash, which took place on Saturday. According to him, a bus transporting 30 athletes plunged off the bridge, resulting in a high number of fatalities.
“As of now, we have recovered 19 bodies,” Fagge reported.
Former Vice President of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Ado Salisu, added that victims were still being transported to the Kura General Hospital for treatment.
The Kano Sector Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps also acknowledged the incident. However, its Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Labaran, said the exact number of casualties could not yet be confirmed.
“We have just received the report and are still gathering details, so I cannot provide an accurate figure for the fatalities and injuries at this time,” he stated.
