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By Barth Ikiebe.
A devastating road accident has claimed the lives of 21 athletes and officials from the Kano State contingent who were returning from the 22nd National Sports Festival in Ogun State.
Our correspondent gathered that the fatal crash occurred on Saturday morning at the Dakatsalle Bridge in Kura Local Government Area of Kano State, less than 30 kilometers to Kano,the state capital, North West Nigeria.
The bus, carrying about 35 passengers,mostly athletes, coaches, medical personnel, and journalists, was said to have overturned after hitting a pothole, plunging off the bridge and killing 21 people on the spot, including the driver.
It was the last in a convoy of eight buses transporting the team home after a successful outing that saw them win 29 medals.
A survivor, Ado Salisu, speaking from his hospital bed at Kura General Hospital, recounted the terrifying moment:
“The bus hit a pothole and lost balance before it somersaulted. It was a nightmare. We lost friends, teammates, and mentors,”he said.
Umar Fagge, Chairman of the Kano State Sports Commission, confirmed the tragedy and noted that several others sustained injuries and are receiving emergency care at nearby hospitals.
The Kano State Sector Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), through its Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Labaran, confirmed the incident.
The deceased include athletes, support staff, medical workers, and media personnel, marking a profound loss for the Kano sporting community and beyond.
Eyewitnesses described the aftermath as chaotic and heartbreaking, with bodies strewn across the crash site as rescue workers and bystanders struggled to assist survivors.
Authorities are still investigating the exact cause of the accident.
Our correspondent further gathered the Kano State Government has begun coordinating support for the injured and the families of the deceased, with plans underway to offer assistance and ensure proper medical care for survivors.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
