Six Sudanese migrants died deep in the Libyan desert while dozens of other irregular migrants were rescued after enduring harsh humanitarian conditions during a smuggling journey from Chad, Libyan authorities said.
According to Libya’s Anti-Illegal Immigration Agency, patrols affiliated with the Oasis branch, working alongside other security forces, intercepted two vehicles carrying 52 migrants, including 49 Sudanese and three Chadians. The group had travelled through dangerous desert routes after crossing from the “Kouri Bougoudi” area inside Chad.
The agency said the migrants suffered from severe thirst, exhaustion, lack of supplies, and disorientation in the desert, leading to the deaths of six people whose bodies were left behind because of the difficulty of accessing the remote area.
Authorities confirmed that the Public Prosecution had been notified, while coordination was underway with the Libyan Red Crescent to locate and recover the bodies. Officials said the site was located around 300 kilometres southwest of the Oasis region.
The agency warned of the growing dangers linked to irregular migration and human smuggling networks operating across southern Libya and neighbouring countries. It stressed that smugglers continue to exploit vulnerable migrants by transporting them through deadly desert routes lacking the minimum requirements for safety and survival.
Libya has become a major transit point for migrants attempting to reach Europe through the Mediterranean, particularly following the outbreak of war in Sudan in April 2023. Hundreds of thousands of Sudanese nationals have entered Libya since the conflict began, seeking refuge from violence and humanitarian collapse.
The agency renewed its warning against relying on smuggling networks and false promises of safe passage, saying such journeys frequently end in tragedy, with migrants dying in isolated desert areas without access to rescue or humanitarian assistance.
Libyan officials have repeatedly called for stronger regional cooperation to combat human trafficking and secure the country’s vast southern borders.