Several people are feared lost in the Sahara Desert as three dead human bodies get exhumed from sand dunes along the stretch used by human traffickers.
In a chilling reminder of the dangers facing migrants crossing the Sahara, three individuals were found dead from what is being suspected to be a serious case of dehydration.
The dead bodies were recently discovered approximately 23 kilometers from the Achigour well along the Agadez–Dirkou smuggling route, a notorious corridor used by human traffickers toward Libya, on their way to Europe.
After crossing the hot desert, migrants upon reaching Libya, would then find all means to wade through the Mediterranean seas to Italy and other European countries.
Now the bodies found in the desert were discovered buried in the sand by passersby, who confirmed that one of the deceased carried a Nigerian identity card, while the other two had no identification.
It is being suspected that many more people could be either lost or dead across the Saharan sandy landscapes.
The victims were buried at the site in accordance with Muslim funeral rites, at least as far as reports from Libya are concerned.
Authorities and humanitarian organizations in the North African country are therefore urging anyone who may recognize the victims or who has lost contact with a loved one along this route to come forward with information.
According to reports, this tragic incident highlights the deadly risks of using unregulated migration routes through the Sahara Desert and into Libya, where many face exploitation, violence, and death before ever reaching the Mediterranean Sea.
Last month, three people were found dead in the waters along the Libyan coastline while attempting to cross the ocean.
The North African region, apparently, remains a key transit zone for migrants hoping to cross into Europe, and has long been a focus of international concern due to the rise of human trafficking syndicate and smuggling networks.