A devastating motor accident has claimed the lives of at least 20 athletes from Kano State, who were returning from the National Sports Festival held in Abeokuta, Ogun State. The incident occurred on Saturday at Dakatsalle Bridge in the Kura Local Government area of Kano State.
According to eyewitnesses, the bus conveying 30 athletes fell from the bridge, resulting in the tragic loss of lives. The Chairman of the Kano State Sports Commission, Umar Fagge, confirmed the incident, stating that many other athletes sustained various degrees of injuries.
"As I am talking to you now, we have counted 19 dead bodies," Fagge said, adding that the death toll might rise as rescue efforts continue. Ado Salisu, a former Vice President of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), also confirmed that victims were still being conveyed to Kura General Hospital.
The Federal Road Safety Corps, Kano Sector Command, has also confirmed the accident. However, the Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Labaran, said he could not confirm the exact number of deaths and injured persons.
"We just received the report of the accident, so I cannot confirm the exact number of casualties at the moment," Labaran added.
The incident has sent shockwaves through the sports community, and an investigation into the cause of the accident is expected to be launched.
Investigation and Response
The Kano State Government and relevant authorities are likely to launch an investigation into the incident to determine the cause of the accident and identify measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The government may also provide support to the families of the deceased athletes and those who sustained injuries. The incident highlights the importance of road safety and the need for athletes and travelers to take necessary precautions to ensure their safety.
Impact on Sports Community
The loss of these young athletes is a significant blow to the sports community in Kano State and Nigeria as a whole. The incident may also affect the morale of athletes and sports enthusiasts in the state.
The sports community will likely come together to mourn the loss of these talented athletes and provide support to their families. The incident serves as a reminder of the risks and challenges that athletes face, both on and off the field.
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