At least 49 people have died of thirst in the Sahara Desert after their truck broke down, leaving them stranded for days in northern Niger, authorities confirmed.
The victims, all Nigerien nationals, were reportedly returning home from a religious festival in Mali when their vehicle became inoperable more than 80 kilometers (49 miles) west of Assamaka, near the borders with Mali and Algeria. Niger's Agadez region governorate announced the tragedy in an online post late Thursday.
Two men managed to survive the harrowing ordeal, trekking over 50 kilometers (31 miles) to find a water source before continuing to Assamaka, where they alerted authorities to the dire situation.
A delegation, dispatched to the scene by Agadez Region Governor Gen. Ibra Boulama Issa, learned that the truck had been traveling for several days from the Malian town of Talhandek, located approximately 300 kilometers (187 miles) from the Nigerien border.
It was not immediately clear what led to the breakdown or how long the passengers waited.
“On the spot, the findings were particularly disturbing. Dozens of lifeless bodies were found under the immobile truck and in its surroundings,” the Agadez governorate said.
Photos published by the governorate showed bodies in the desert with pieces of clothing and other belongings scattered around.
“Deprived of water and unable to repair the vehicle despite the efforts of the driver, his apprentice and passengers, travelers found themselves trapped in the heart of a hostile environment where extreme temperatures and lack of supply points make survival extremely difficult,” the governorate said.
The 49 victims were buried by responders in mass graves at the scene in what officials called a “particularly delicate and emotionally exhausting task” for the survivors
The responders also aided a truck carrying over 60 people, stranded for three days after its battery failed.
This incident underscores the perilous journeys young Nigeriens undertake to Mali for work at artisanal mining sites, often despite significant risks from militant groups.
Additional reporting by Reuters
