At least 49 people have died in northern Niger after a truck carrying passengers through the Sahara Desert broke down, leaving travelers stranded for days without access to water, according to local authorities.
The victims were reportedly returning from Mali after attending a Muslim festival when their vehicle veered off its planned route near Telhandek and became disabled more than 80 kilometers west of Assamaka.
Isolated in a remote desert region and unable to obtain assistance, the passengers endured extreme conditions that ultimately proved fatal for most of those on board.
Nearly 50 people died of thirst after a truck carrying them from Mali to Niger broke down in the Sahara desert, local authorities said. https://t.co/eW5oGezHjh
— Reuters Africa (@ReutersAfrica) June 5, 2026
Authorities said only two people survived the ordeal. The pair managed to travel more than 50 kilometers to reach Assamaka and alert officials, leading rescue teams to the scene.
According to the governorate, responders found the victims in a harsh and inhospitable environment, with many buried in mass graves.
The tragedy highlights the dangers of travel across the Sahara, where vehicle failures can quickly become life-threatening.
While returning from the rescue operation, authorities encountered another truck carrying more than 60 people that had also broken down in the desert.
Rescue workers provided water and assistance, allowing the stranded travelers to continue their journey safely.
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TIPP Staff
