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🇫🇷 France /Disasters & Emergencies

Niger: 49 die of thirst in Sahara after truck breaks down

From Le Figaro · () French

Translated from French, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement Outcome reported
  • Forty-nine Nigerien nationals died of thirst in a remote desert area near the borders of Algeria, Niger, and Mali after their transport truck broke down.
  • Two survivors walked over 50 kilometers to reach Assamaka and alert authorities, leading to the discovery of the victims who were buried in mass graves.
  • Authorities also found another truck with over 60 people stranded for three days due to a battery failure, whom they assisted to continue their journey.

A group of travelers attempting to return to Niger from Mali for the Eid celebration met a tragic end in the Sahara Desert. Forty-nine Nigeriens died of thirst after their truck broke down in a remote area more than 80 kilometers west of Assamaka, according to local authorities.

Forty-nine Nigerien nationals found death by thirst in a remote area located more than 80 kilometers west of Assamaka.

— Agadez GovernorateThe Agadez Governorate announced the discovery of the victims and the cause of death.

The governorate of Agadez reported that the victims were deprived of water in a hostile environment with extreme temperatures. Despite efforts by the driver and passengers to repair the vehicle, they became trapped. The deceased were buried in mass graves.

Two individuals survived the ordeal by walking over 50 kilometers to find water and then reach Assamaka to alert the authorities. Their rescue highlighted the perilous conditions in the region.

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

— Agadez GovernorateThe governorate described the harsh conditions that led to the deaths.

Authorities also discovered another truck stranded over 60 kilometers from Assamaka, carrying more than 60 people who had been stuck for three days due to a battery failure. These travelers were returning from a gold mining site in Mali. The delegation provided assistance, enabling them to resume their journey.

Two people, however, survived this ordeal and walked more than fifty kilometers on foot before reaching a waterhole and then reaching Assamaka where they were able to give the alert.

— Agadez GovernorateThe governorate detailed how the survivors managed to alert authorities.

This desert region is a known transit point for African migrants heading to Europe and frequently experiences such tragedies. In 2025, at least 35 migrants died in the Nigerien desert, and in October 2013, 92 migrants perished after being abandoned by their smugglers due to vehicle breakdowns.

On board more than 60 people... stranded for three days in the heart of the desert following a battery failure.

— Agadez GovernorateThe governorate described the situation of the second stranded truck.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Le Figaro in French. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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