Fifty people have died of dehydration in the Sahara desert after a lorry transporting migrants and traders broke down in a remote region, officials said. The incident occurred on a little-used route between Agadez, Niger, and the southern Libyan border, an area known for extreme temperatures and scant water sources.
The vehicle, believed to be carrying a mix of sub-Saharan African migrants and local traders, suffered an engine failure several days ago, stranding the passengers in 50-degree heat. Survivors reported that water supplies were exhausted within 24 hours. The first deaths occurred on the second day.
Nigerien authorities were alerted after a passing nomadic group discovered the scene. Rescue teams arrived 48 hours later, finding 45 bodies scattered near the lorry and five more some distance away, suggesting attempts to walk for help. An additional 12 people were rescued in critical condition and airlifted to a medical facility in Agadez.
UK aid agencies, including Oxfam and the British Red Cross, have deployed emergency response teams to the region. They are providing water purification kits, medical supplies, and logistical support to local authorities. The Foreign Office confirmed it is liaising with the Nigerien government but stated that no British nationals were involved.
The tragedy underscores the perils of irregular migration across the Sahara, where hundreds die each year. The International Organization for Migration reported that 528 migrants perished in the desert in 2023 alone. Humanitarian organisations have repeatedly called for safer legal pathways and better search-and-rescue infrastructure.
Niger, one of the world's poorest countries, has become a transit hub for migrants heading to Libya and Europe. The route is notoriously dangerous, with smugglers often using faulty vehicles and inadequate supplies. This incident is the deadliest in the region since 2021, when 53 people died after a lorry broke down in the Ténéré desert.
UK International Development Minister Anneliese Dodds said: "This is a horrific loss of life. Our thoughts are with the families. We are providing urgent assistance and will continue to work with partners to prevent such tragedies."
Meanwhile, the European Union has pledged additional funding for border management in Niger, though critics argue that such measures push migrants onto more perilous routes. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights called for a full investigation and accountability.
The survivors, now receiving treatment, include a 14-year-old boy who walked for two days before collapsing. He was found by nomads who shared their remaining water. Medical staff say his condition is stable but he shows signs of severe trauma.
As the scale of the disaster becomes clear, aid agencies warn that the true death toll may be higher. Some passengers may have wandered off and died undiscovered. Search teams are now combing a 20-kilometre radius from the breakdown site.
This report will be updated as more details emerge.
