Seven Sudanese Migrants Found Dead in Libyan Desert After Being Stranded for 11 Days

This is a locator map for Libya with its capital, Tripoli.

At least seven Sudanese migrants have been found dead in the Libyan desert after their vehicle broke down, leaving them stranded without food or water for nearly two weeks. The tragic discovery was confirmed on Friday by emergency officials in southeastern Libya.

The group, consisting of 34 migrants from Sudan, was traveling through a remote smuggling route after crossing into Libya from Chad. Their vehicle malfunctioned deep in the desert, far from any settlements or assistance. After 11 days stranded in the sand dunes, a smuggler came across the group and alerted emergency services.

Ebrahim Belhassan, director of the Kufra Ambulance and Emergency Services, described the scene as harrowing. "The survivors were almost about to die. They are severely dehydrated and exhibiting signs of distress and trauma, especially having seen others around them die," he said.

Rescue teams recovered 22 survivors, including five children, who were immediately transferred to the town of Kufra for urgent medical care and further evaluation. Five individuals remain missing, and hopes for their survival are fading due to the vastness and harsh conditions of the desert terrain.

Libya continues to be a major transit point for migrants and refugees fleeing conflict, poverty, and instability in sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East. With six land borders and an expansive Mediterranean coastline, the country is a key departure hub for those attempting dangerous journeys toward Europe.

As of 2024, the International Organization for Migration estimates approximately 787,000 migrants and refugees reside in Libya. Many enter through border regions like Kufra, which lies near the Chadian frontier and serves as a frequent crossing zone for smugglers.

Belhassan noted that this is not an isolated incident. In the past year alone, Kufra’s ambulance services responded to over 260 emergencies involving Sudanese migrants stranded in the desert. Despite ongoing humanitarian efforts, the risks facing migrants continue to rise due to increasing instability, lack of legal migration routes, and the treacherous conditions of the Sahara.