According to a statement from the governor of Niger’s Agadez region, the passengers were Nigerien nationals returning home when their vehicle became lost and subsequently suffered a mechanical failure near the border area between Mali and Algeria.

Extreme conditions and a desperate walk for survival

Stranded without water and unable to repair the truck, the passengers were trapped in extreme desert conditions. Survival became impossible due to scorching temperatures and a total lack of supplies. In a desperate bid for help, two men walked dozens of kilometers through the desert to reach the nearest town and alert authorities.

When rescuers arrived at the scene, they discovered the bodies of 49 people beneath and around the stranded vehicle. The victims were buried in mass graves at the site. During the operation, rescue teams also located and assisted a second truck carrying more than 60 passengers, which had been stranded nearby for three days following its own mechanical failure.

Despite the severe environmental dangers and ongoing security risks, this desert region remains a heavily trafficked route for migrants and workers traveling to mining sites in Mali.