49 Die After Truck Breaks Down in Niger Sahara

At least 49 people died of thirst after their truck broke down in a remote area of the Sahara Desert in northern Niger, authorities reported. The victims, all Nigerien nationals, were returning home from celebrating the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha in Mali when the vehicle stopped running.

The incident occurred more than 80 kilometers west of Assamaka, a border crossing point near Niger's frontiers with Algeria and Mali. According to a statement from the Agadez regional governorate, the travelers became trapped in an extremely hostile environment after exhausting their water supply and failing to repair the vehicle despite concerted efforts by the driver, his assistants, and the passengers. Officials described a scenario where extreme temperatures and a complete absence of supply points made survival nearly impossible.

Two survivors managed to walk more than 50 kilometers to find water and then continue to Assamaka, where they alerted authorities. A rescue delegation dispatched by Agadez Region Governor General Ibra Boulama Issa later reached the scene. Officials reported finding dozens of lifeless bodies under the immobilized truck and in its immediate surroundings. The 49...