An accident has claimed the lives of 21 athletes and officials returning from the National Sports Festival in Ogun State, leaving the Nigerian sporting community in mourning.

The crash occurred early Saturday in Dakasoye town, approximately 50 kilometers from Kano, after the bus had traveled overnight from Abeokuta, Ogun State’s capital.

Authorities confirmed that the incident involved 36 passengers, with 15 survivors in critical condition. 

Those killed included young athletes, a journalist, a senior medical official, the public relations officer of the Kano Sports Commission, and several sports administrators.

Senior sports journalist Ado Salisu, who was part of the delegation in another bus, verified the incident. He reported that the official coastal bus veered off a bridge around 9 a.m., resulting in the devastating loss of life.

Emergency responders rushed injured survivors to Kura General Hospital and Murtala Mohammed Specialists Hospital in Kano.

Local authorities have yet to provide an official statement on the cause of the accident, but preliminary reports suggest poor road conditions and exhaustion from long hours of travel could have contributed.

Nigeria’s sports community expressed shock and grief, with officials calling for urgent safety measures to protect athletes during inter-state travel.

As families and colleagues mourn the loss of talented individuals, tributes are pouring in for the victims, highlighting their contributions to Nigerian sports.

Source: Agencies

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