At least 49 people have lost their lives after becoming stranded in a remote section of the Sahara Desert in Niger when the truck transporting them suffered a mechanical failure.
Authorities said only two members of the group survived the ordeal. The survivors reportedly managed to make their way to Assamaka, a border town between Niger and Algeria, where they alerted officials to the tragedy.
The victims were said to have been returning from a religious gathering in neighbouring Mali when their vehicle broke down more than 80 kilometres from Assamaka, leaving them stranded in one of the world’s harshest environments.
Officials in the Agadez region said the travellers were trapped in an isolated area with soaring temperatures and no access to water or other essential supplies.
Efforts by the driver, his assistant and passengers to repair the vehicle reportedly failed, worsening their situation as dehydration set in.
According to local authorities, the truck had veered off its intended route shortly after leaving the Malian town of Telhandek.
With no means of communication or immediate assistance available, those on board were left exposed to the unforgiving desert conditions.
Rescue workers later discovered dozens of bodies in and around the disabled vehicle. Many of the victims are believed to have died from severe dehydration after exhausting their limited resources.
The recovery operation also led rescuers to another stranded truck carrying more than 60 passengers.
That vehicle had reportedly been immobilised for three days following a battery failure. Emergency teams supplied water to the occupants and helped restore the vehicle, allowing them to continue their journey.
Authorities said the incident underscores the dangers faced by migrants and travellers who cross the Sahara Desert, often risking extreme weather, isolation and other hazards in search of religious, economic or social opportunities elsewhere.
They warned that such journeys continue to claim lives despite repeated safety concerns and awareness campaigns.
