Libya’s Anti-Illegal Migration Agency announced on Saturday the death of six Sudanese nationals and the rescue of dozens of migrants deep in the desert.
In a statement posted on its official Facebook page, the agency said that security patrols affiliated with the Oasis Branch in the southeast and central region, in cooperation with other security agencies, intercepted two four-wheel-drive vehicles — a Toyota Tundra and a Sequoia — carrying 52 irregular migrants, including 49 Sudanese refugees and three Chadian migrants.
According to testimonies from the refugees, they had traveled from the “Kouri Bougoudi” mining area inside Chadian territory through highly dangerous desert routes and trails commonly used by smuggling and illegal migration networks.
The agency explained that investigations revealed the refugees had endured harsh and tragic humanitarian conditions during the journey, including severe thirst, depletion of supplies, and becoming lost deep in the desert. These conditions led to the deaths of six people who had been traveling with them, whose bodies were left behind in the desert due to the harsh environment and difficult terrain.
The agency confirmed that the Public Prosecutor had been notified to take the necessary legal measures, while coordination was underway with the Libyan Red Crescent to determine the location of the deceased and recover the bodies. Preliminary coordinates indicate the site is approximately 300 kilometers southwest of the Oasis region.
The agency warned against falling victim to smuggling networks and false promises, emphasizing that such journeys often result in devastating human losses and severe humanitarian suffering that may end in death in the heart of the desert without rescue or assistance, according to the statement.
