Tragic Accident Claims Lives of Kano Athletes Returning From Abeokuta Event

A fatal road accident has claimed the lives of at least 20 athletes from Kano State. The athletes were returning from the just-concluded National Sports Festival in Abeokuta, Ogun State. The tragic incident occurred at the Dakatsalle Bridge in Kura Local Government Area of Kano State on Saturday.

According to the Chairman of the Kano State Sports Commission, Umar Fagge, a bus conveying about 30 athletes fell off the bridge. Fagge said many others were injured in the accident.

“As I am talking to you now, we have counted 19 dead bodies,” he said.

The athletes were part of the Kano State contingent that participated in the sports festival, which brought together competitors from across Nigeria. The event had ended just a few days earlier, and teams had begun returning to their home states.

Rescue Efforts Ongoing

Emergency responders rushed to the scene shortly after the accident. Some victims were taken to Kura General Hospital for treatment. Former Vice President of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Ado Salisu, confirmed that bodies and survivors were still being transported to medical facilities as of Saturday night.

Officials from the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Kano also responded to the incident. However, the FRSC Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Labaran, said he could not give an exact number of casualties at the time.

“We just received the report of the accident, so, I cannot confirm the exact number of casualties at the moment,” Labaran said.

Kano In Mourning

The tragic accident has thrown Kano’s sports community into mourning. Families, friends, and colleagues of the victims are grieving the sudden loss of young and promising athletes.

Many of the athletes had represented Kano in various sporting events and were celebrated for their performances at the National Sports Festival. The deaths come as a huge blow not only to Kano State but also to Nigeria’s sports development efforts.

As of Saturday morning, state officials were still working to identify all the victims and contact their families. Authorities have not yet released the names of those who died.

The accident has also led to calls for better transport arrangements for athletes. Many believe that the government must prioritize the safety of sports participants, especially during national events that often require long distance travel.

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