Niamey: At least 49 people died from thirst and extreme heat after a truck carrying passengers broke down in the Sahara Desert in Niger, authorities said. The victims were reportedly travelling through a remote desert region when their vehicle became stranded, leaving them without access to water or assistance.
According to local officials, the truck was travelling from Mali through a sparsely populated area near the borders of Niger, Mali and Algeria when it suffered a mechanical failure. With no immediate means of communication or rescue, passengers were left exposed to harsh desert conditions and soaring temperatures.
As days passed, the group exhausted its limited supply of water and food. The intense heat and dehydration proved fatal for dozens of people who were unable to find shelter or reach a nearby settlement.
Authorities said two people survived the ordeal by walking long distances across the desert in search of help. After reaching a water source and a nearby town, they alerted officials, who subsequently launched a rescue operation.
During the search, rescuers recovered the bodies of 49 victims. Reports also indicated that another truck carrying more than 60 people was found stranded in the area and its passengers were rescued before conditions became life-threatening.
The tragedy has once again highlighted the dangers of crossing the Sahara Desert, one of the world’s most hazardous migration and transit routes. Every year, migrants and travellers attempting to reach North Africa and Europe face risks ranging from extreme temperatures and dehydration to vehicle breakdowns and human trafficking.
Authorities have urged travellers to avoid unauthorized desert routes and called for stronger measures to improve safety and emergency response capabilities in remote regions.