The bodies of over 90 migrants, mostly women and children who died of thirst, have been found in the Sahara in northern Niger.<br /><br />Their vehicles broke down as they tried to cross the desert. The migrants dispersed to seek water. Their bodies were found scattered, some reportedly partly eaten by animals.<br /><br />The group had left Niger’s northernmost mining town Arlit, headed for Algeria. Around 20 people survived the ordeal, some walking kilometres through no-man’s land to raise the alarm.<br /><br />The route across the Sahara is used by migrants from Niger, one of the world’s poorest countries, and further afield, many hoping to reach Europe. <br /><br />Hundreds of those who make it to the Mediterranean have drowned trying to cross in recent months. The tragedies have prompted renewed debate in Europe about large-scale illegal migration from Africa and the dangers of human trafficking.
