Kano, Nigeria – A pall of grief has descended upon Kano State following the tragic death of 20 athletes in a ghastly motor accident today. The athletes, part of the Kano Contingent, were reportedly returning from the recently concluded National Sports Festival, dubbed the “Gateway Games,” held in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The devastating incident occurred at Dakatsalle Bridge in the Kura Local Government Area of Kano State.
Umar Fagge, Chairman of the Kano State Sports Commission, confirmed the heartbreaking news, stating that many other athletes also sustained injuries in the Saturday crash. Fagge detailed that the bus, carrying 30 athletes, plunged from the bridge, leading to the high fatality count.
“As I am talking to you now, we have counted 19 dead bodies,” Fagge was quoted saying, indicating the grim recovery effort underway.
Adding to the somber reports, Ado Salisu, a former Vice President of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), confirmed that victims were still being transported to Kura General Hospital.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Kano Sector Command, through its Public Relations Officer Abdullahi Labaran, also acknowledged the accident. However, Labaran stated he could not immediately confirm the exact number of fatalities or injured persons, as they had just received the report.
This tragic event has cast a dark shadow over the successes of the National Sports Festival, leaving a community in mourning and raising questions about athlete safety during transportation.
Further details on the injured, the exact cause of the accident, and the identities of the deceased athletes are being sought and will be published as they become available.
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