At least 20 athletes from the Kano State contingent have been confirmed dead following a tragic road accident at the Dakatsalle Bridge in Kura Local Government Area of Kano State.
The athletes were reportedly on their way back from the recently concluded National Sports Festival held in Abeokuta, Ogun State, when the accident occurred on Saturday.
Chairman of the Kano State Sports Commission, Umar Fagge, confirmed the incident, stating that the vehicle carrying the athletes — a bus transporting 30 individuals — plunged off the bridge, resulting in the deaths of at least 20 athletes and injuries to several others.
“As I speak with you now, we have recovered 19 bodies,” Fagge said, visibly shaken by the tragedy.
Ado Salisu, a former Vice President of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), also confirmed that victims were being transported to the Kura General Hospital for treatment and identification.
When contacted, the Public Relations Officer of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Kano Sector Command, Abdullahi Labaran, confirmed that the accident had been reported to the agency but noted that the official number of casualties had yet to be verified.
“We have received information about the accident, but we cannot confirm the exact number of fatalities or injured persons at this time,” Labaran stated.
Further updates are expected as authorities continue recovery and investigation efforts.
so sad