Twenty-one athletes from Kano State have died in a tragic road accident while returning from the National Sports Festival held in Abeokuta, Ogun State. The accident occurred at Dakatsalle Bridge when the bus conveying 30 athletes plunged into the water.

Umar Bala Fagge, Chairman of the Kano State Sports Commission, confirmed the incident in a statement released on Saturday. According to Fagge, the victims were being transported to Kura General Hospital following the accident.

Among the deceased was the son of Salisu Jegus, a sports correspondent with Express Radio in Kano. The statement indicated that the bus was carrying members of the Kano contingent who had participated in the recently concluded national sporting event.

As of the time of reporting, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Kano State had not issued an official confirmation of the incident. Attempts to reach the sector commander for comment were unsuccessful, as calls went unanswered and messages unreturned.

The accident represents a devastating blow to the Kano sports community, which had just participated in the national competition. Further details regarding the identities of the victims and the circumstances surrounding the accident are expected as investigations continue.

This tragedy comes as the latest in a series of road accidents involving sports teams and athletes in Nigeria, raising concerns about transportation safety for sporting contingents traveling across the country.