At least 49 Nigerien citizens died of thirst after the truck transporting them broke down in a remote area more than 80 kilometers west of Assamaka, near the borders with Mali and Algeria. The victims were reportedly returning from Mali to celebrate Eid al-Adha with their families when their vehicle became

 immobilized in the desert. With no water and no means of repairing the truck, the passengers found themselves trapped under extreme temperatures. Two survivors managed to walk more than 50 kilometers to reach a water source and alert authorities. The tragedy highlights the harsh conditions and dangers faced by travelers crossing the vast Sahara Desert.