At least 49 people have died of thirst in a remote area of the Sahara Desert in northern Niger after a truck carrying them broke down, leaving the passengers stranded in extreme weather conditions.
Authorities in Niger said only two people survived the ordeal after trekking across the desert to Assamaka, a border town between Niger and Algeria, where they alerted officials to the tragedy.
According to regional authorities, the victims were travelling from neighbouring Mali after attending a religious festival when the vehicle reportedly developed a fault more than 80 kilometres west of Assamaka.
A statement issued by the Agadez regional government said the travellers became trapped in one of the harshest environments in the world, where soaring temperatures and the absence of water sources made survival extremely difficult.
“The travellers found themselves trapped in the heart of a hostile environment where extreme temperatures and lack of supply points make survival extremely difficult,” the statement said.
Officials said the truck had reportedly deviated from its intended route after leaving the Malian town of Telhandek.
Despite efforts by the driver, his assistant and passengers to repair the vehicle, the breakdown could not be fixed, leaving the group stranded without water.
“Deprived of water and unable to repair the vehicle despite the efforts of the driver, his apprentice and passengers, travellers found themselves trapped in the heart of a hostile environment,” the statement added.
Rescue teams dispatched to the area discovered dozens of bodies beneath and around the immobilised truck, with most of the victims believed to have died from severe dehydration.
Authorities said the bodies were later recovered and buried in mass graves near the scene.
In a separate incident during the same rescue operation, emergency workers located another stranded truck carrying more than 60 passengers.
The vehicle had reportedly been immobilised for three days after suffering a battery failure.
Rescuers provided water to the passengers and helped repair the vehicle, allowing the travellers to continue their journey.
Officials said the incidents underscore the dangers faced by migrants and travellers crossing the Sahara Desert, one of the world’s most hazardous migration corridors.
They noted that despite the risks posed by extreme weather, insecurity and inadequate infrastructure, many people continue to undertake perilous journeys across the desert in search of economic opportunities and safer living conditions.
Authorities also urged travellers to take greater precautions and avoid unsafe routes through remote desert regions.
