Mass Death in Sahara Desert

(Tamanrasset, Algeria)

The bodies of 87 migrants were found in Niger's northern desert after they died of thirst just a few kilometres from the border of Algeria, their planned destination, security officials said.

The corpses of the 7 men, 32 women and 48 children were in addition to 5 bodies of women and girls found earlier, a security source said.

All died in early October after a failed attempt to reach Algeria that began in late September, the source added.

Two vehicles transporting the migrants broke down in the middle of the stinking desert. Miraculously, 21 people survived.