- Kano athletes accident: What We Know So Far.
- Tragic Impact on Families and Communities.
- Steps Being Taken to Prevent Future Crashes.
Early today Saturday, a bus carrying more than 30 members of the Kano contingent returning from the National Sports Festival in Abeokuta plummeted from Dakatsalle Bridge, thereby causing the tragic Kano athletes accident.
Meanwhile, the fatal accident caused the death of more than 20 passengers.
Verified Deaths and Wounded
Fatalities: More than 20 individuals perished, among them athletes, the driver, coaches, journalists, medical staff, and administrators.
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Survivor Ado Salisu Gama, speaking from Kura General Hospital said:
“Twenty-two people have died so far, including the driver. Another colleague just passed away in the hospital.”
Injuries: Numerous survivors are still receiving treatment at Kura General Hospital for injuries that range from broken bones to head wounds.
Medical personnel are delivering critical care.
Statements from Officials
Statement from Kano State Sports Commission
Umar Fagge, who leads the Kano State Sports Commission, affirmed the crash and mentioned that recovery teams were still collecting remains.
“As of now, we have counted 19 bodies at the scene,” Fagge said.
He added that numerous athletes suffered injuries of different severities.
Federal Road Safety Corps Response
Abdullahi Labaran, the FRSC’s Public Relations Officer in Kano, confirmed the agency received notice of the accident.
However , they were unable to confirm casualty figures right away.
“We have dispatched teams to assist with rescue and traffic control,” he stated.
Rescue and Emergency Response
Emergency responders encountered difficulties accessing the isolated bridge.
The FRSC and Kano State Emergency Management Agency worked together with Kura General Hospital to ready themselves for incoming victims.
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Community volunteers offered first-aid materials and aided in ferrying the wounded.
Large lifting machinery was sourced from neighboring towns, postponing complete recovery operations until daylight hours.
Victims and Consequences
The Kano delegation had recently secured 29 medals at the National Sports Festival.
The group comprised medalists, their coaches, and support personnel.
Journalists reporting on the event and medical staff were also traveling in the bus.
The sports fraternity in Kano and nationwide is in mourning, with families anxiously awaiting updates.
Reactions and Future Actions
Kano State Government Reaction
The Executive Governor of Kano state, AlhajiAbba Kabir Yusuf has mandated a comprehensive inquiry into the accident.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the families affected,” an official statement read.
A special task force will assess whether vehicle upkeep, driver exhaustion, or road conditions played a part in the Kano athletes accident.
National Sports Federation Statement
The Federation urged for enhanced safety protocols during athlete transportation.
Their statement appealed to all state sports councils to verify that vehicles meet safety standards and drivers receive adequate training.
If you were acquainted with anyone from the team or have information about the incident, kindly post a comment below.
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