Tragedy has struck the Kano sporting community as 21 contingent returning from the just concluded National Sports Festival in Ogun State died in a ghastly auto crash.

The unfortunate incident, involving 36 passengers in an official coastal bus, left 15 other occupants in critical condition.

The Guardian gathered that the fatal accident occurred early Saturday at Dakasoye town about 50 kilometers to Kano, after the participants had travelled several hours overnight from Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

The Guardian gathered that those confirmed dead included young athletes, a journalist, a chief medical personnel, a public relations officer of the Kano Sports Commission, and some sport administrators.

Ado Salisu, a senior sports journalist who was part of the contingent in another bus, confirmed the incident to The Guardian.

According to Salish, the bus fell off a nearby bridge at about 9 a.m. on Saturday after traveled overnight from Ogun, resulting in the devastating crash.

He said 21 were confirmed dead, while 15 with critical injuries have been taken to Kura General Hospital and also to Murtala Mohammed Specialists Hospital in Kano.