• Bus overturns after hitting pothole on Daka Tsalle Bridge
• Kano Govt, sport community reel from loss

A tragic road accident has claimed the lives of at least 21 athletes and officials from Kano State who participated in the recently concluded National Sports Festival in Ogun State.

The fatal crash occurred on Saturday morning around 8 a.m. at Daka Tsalle Bridge in the Garun Malam Local Government Area of Kano State.

Eyewitnesses reported that the bus carrying the victims somersaulted after hitting a pothole, resulting in immediate fatalities and multiple injuries.

An official on the trip, Ado Salisu, confirmed that 19 people died on the spot, while two others later succumbed to their injuries at Kura General Hospital.

He added that more than 10 passengers sustained serious injuries and are currently receiving medical treatment.

Among the deceased is Galadima Ibrahim, the spokesperson for the Kano State Sports Council.

Salisu noted that arrangements are being made to return the bodies to their families.

“The scene was devastating. We lost some of our best athletes and dedicated officials,” Salisu said.

Reports indicate that the accident involved only one of the 31 buses transporting the Kano delegation from Ogun State.

The remaining 30 buses arrived safely in Kano after departing Ogun on Thursday night.

The tragic incident has plunged the Kano sports community into mourning, with many calling for urgent attention to road safety and infrastructure to prevent future occurrences.

Reports had it that 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 for 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 travellers to take necessary precautions to ensure their safety.

The loss of the young athletes, it was gathered, 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 for their families. The incident serves as a reminder of the risks and challenges that athletes face, both on and off the field.