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Bodies of 34 migrants found in Niger desert Bodies of 34 migrants found in Niger desert
(2 months later)
The bodies of 34 migrants who were abandoned by people smugglers while trying to reach neighbouring Algeria were found in the Niger desert last week, authorities have said.The bodies of 34 migrants who were abandoned by people smugglers while trying to reach neighbouring Algeria were found in the Niger desert last week, authorities have said.
“Thirty-four people, including five men, nine women and 20 children, died trying to cross the desert,” Niger’s interior ministry said in a statement on Wednesday.“Thirty-four people, including five men, nine women and 20 children, died trying to cross the desert,” Niger’s interior ministry said in a statement on Wednesday.
“They probably died of thirst, as is often the case, and they were found near Assamaka,” a security source said, referring to a border post between Niger and Algeria.“They probably died of thirst, as is often the case, and they were found near Assamaka,” a security source said, referring to a border post between Niger and Algeria.
The migrants were abandoned by people smugglers, the statement added, and only two of the bodies had so far been identified – a man and a 26-year-old woman, both from Niger.The migrants were abandoned by people smugglers, the statement added, and only two of the bodies had so far been identified – a man and a 26-year-old woman, both from Niger.
Temperatures in the region can reach 42C (108F), with blinding sandstorms tearing across the desert. The conditions mean that only a fraction of those who die trying to cross the area are ever found.Temperatures in the region can reach 42C (108F), with blinding sandstorms tearing across the desert. The conditions mean that only a fraction of those who die trying to cross the area are ever found.
Related: Thousands of children travelling alone from Africa to Europe, says Unicef
Thousands of migrants have arrived in Algeria in recent years, mostly from neighbouring Mali and Niger.Thousands of migrants have arrived in Algeria in recent years, mostly from neighbouring Mali and Niger.
Libya used to play host to the majority of migrants from sub-Saharan Africa, but since that country descended into chaos following the death of Muammar Gaddafi, Algeria has become the main destination.Libya used to play host to the majority of migrants from sub-Saharan Africa, but since that country descended into chaos following the death of Muammar Gaddafi, Algeria has become the main destination.
Many pass through Algeria as they head for Europe, but more than 7,000 migrants from Niger, mostly women and children, were returned to their home country in 2015 as part of an agreement between the two countries.Many pass through Algeria as they head for Europe, but more than 7,000 migrants from Niger, mostly women and children, were returned to their home country in 2015 as part of an agreement between the two countries.
Europe has recently turned its attention to trying to curb the number of illegal arrivals from Africa, after a deal with Ankara in March cut the number of people trying to cross from Turkey.Europe has recently turned its attention to trying to curb the number of illegal arrivals from Africa, after a deal with Ankara in March cut the number of people trying to cross from Turkey.
More than 2,814 people have drowned trying to reach Europe since January, according to the UN refugee agency, prompting urgent efforts to tackle the problem.More than 2,814 people have drowned trying to reach Europe since January, according to the UN refugee agency, prompting urgent efforts to tackle the problem.
A new proposal mooted last week involves using EU funds to promote private investment of up to €60bn in countries where many migrants come from – Ethiopia, Niger, Nigeria, Mali and Senegal, as well as Jordan and Lebanon.A new proposal mooted last week involves using EU funds to promote private investment of up to €60bn in countries where many migrants come from – Ethiopia, Niger, Nigeria, Mali and Senegal, as well as Jordan and Lebanon.
The European commission also wants to speed up readmission deals with African countries and with Pakistan and Afghanistan, to make it easier to send back people who are not granted refugee status.The European commission also wants to speed up readmission deals with African countries and with Pakistan and Afghanistan, to make it easier to send back people who are not granted refugee status.
The commission is also set to unveil a plan for a “blue card” system for skilled migrants to come to Europe legally.The commission is also set to unveil a plan for a “blue card” system for skilled migrants to come to Europe legally.
The aim is to reduce the incentive for people to risk their lives travelling to the continent on fragile boats.The aim is to reduce the incentive for people to risk their lives travelling to the continent on fragile boats.