Stranded in the unforgiving expanses of Niger's Sahara Desert after their
vehicles broke down, scores of people, almost all of them women and children,
slowly died of thirst.
The migrants had been trying to reach Algeria,
Azaoua Mahaman of the Synergie nongovernmental organization said Thursday.
Instead, they died of dehydration, unable to escape
the sandy wastes of the Sahel.
A total of 92 bodies have been found, Niger security
forces told CNN on Thursday. Synergie earlier put the number found at 87.
Many of the bodies were severely decomposed and
appeared to have been partially eaten by animals.
The travelers were hoping to find a better life for
themselves in Algeria, trying to escape the extreme poverty and economic
hardships in Niger, said Mahaman.
Their story is the latest tragedy to befall migrants
trying to leave behind a woeful existence for opportunities elsewhere.
Others who have survived the arduous journey from
sub-Saharan Africa to the continent's northern shores have drowned as they
tried to cross the Mediterranean in overcrowded boats, with Europe in their sights.
Source: CNN...More..
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