49 die of thirst in Niger desert after truck breaks down

Forty-nine people died of thirst in a remote Sahara Desert district in Niger after the truck transporting them broke down. The victims were among a group returning from Mali for a Muslim festival when they ran short of water.

Authorities reported that the 49 people died in an area more than 80 kilometers west of Assamaka, a main crossing point between Niger and Algeria, and close to the Mali frontier. The governorate stated that the travelers were deprived of water and unable to repair the vehicle. They found themselves trapped in a hostile environment with extreme temperatures and no supply points, making survival difficult.

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died of thirst in a remote area more than 80 kilometres (50 miles) west of Assamaka

The victims were buried in mass graves. However, two individuals managed to survive by walking more than 50 kilometers on foot to a nearby water source. They then continued to Assamaka, where they alerted the authorities. The desert zone is a known transit point for migrants attempting to reach Europe, and many have perished from thirst or starvation in the harsh conditions.

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Deprived of water and unable to repair the vehicle despite the efforts of the driver, his assistants and the passengers, the travellers found themselves trapped in the heart of a hostile environment where extreme temperatures and the absence of supply points make survival extremely difficult