Seven Sudanese migrants die after being stranded in Libyan desert

At least seven Sudanese migrants have been confirmed dead in Libya after their vehicle broke down and left them stranded in the desert for several days, according to Euronews, citing local ambulance services.

The group of 34 migrants was traveling through a remote desert area near the Chad-Libya border, a region known for human trafficking routes. A smuggler reportedly notified authorities, prompting a rescue operation.

Ebrahim Belhassan, head of Kufra Ambulance and Emergency Services, said the bodies were discovered among sand dunes 11 days after the group ran out of food and water. Twenty-two survivors, including five children, were found and taken to a medical facility.

“The survivors were on the verge of death,” Belhassan said. “They are severely dehydrated and showing signs of trauma.”

Five individuals remain unaccounted for.

Libya remains a key transit country for migrants and refugees fleeing conflict and poverty in hopes of reaching Europe. The International Organization for Migration estimates that around 787,000 migrants of various nationalities were living in Libya as of 2024.