African migrants die in Sahara crossing

(Vatican Radio) At least 35 migrants—mostly women and children—died of dehydration in the Sahara Desert, trying to make the crossing from Niger to Algeria. The news came on Monday, nearly two weeks after the tragedy occurred, when about 20 survivors finally made their way back to Arlit, Niger.

The tragedy unfolded almost like a scripted film: 60 Nigeriens, mostly women and children from various rural villages, piled into two trucks headed for Algeria. Once in a remote area, one of the trucks broke down. The driver of the second truck left to find parts to fix the problem, leaving the migrants behind. When the water ran out, some women set off with their children in the hope of finding an oasis. But no water was to be found. They died from the heat and dehydration. Only five bodies were recovered.

The route is well-known for trafficking migrants to North Africa, where they can try to board boats to Europe.

However, it is unclear whether the migrants from this recent tragedy intended to make their way to Europe or to stay in Algeria to find work or even to beg in the streets of Algiers. That most of the migrants were women and children points to the fact that they may well have remained in Algeria, as they tend to more successful at begging.

Chris Lom, communications director for the International Organization for Migration, told Vatican Radio that North African countries are increasingly becoming countries of destination for west African migrants.

While the perils involved in migration are increasingly making headlines, Lom says the risks migrants take have always been great.

The IOM runs information campaigns in several countries on the risks involved in migration schemes, discouraging people from taking these dangerous journeys. But, Lom says, it is difficult to convince people, living in dire situations of poverty, of these risks.

Listen to the report by Laura Ieraci: