APS Statement
On June 4th, 2026, we were deeply saddened to learn of the tragic loss of 49 Nigerien citizens. This incident occurred approximately 80 kilometers west of Assamaka, in the border region between Niger, Mali, and Algeria. The nation is in mourning, grappling with the profound loss.
These courageous migrant workers, who were attempting to return home with dignity to celebrate Eid with their families after working at gold mining sites in Mali, saw their lives cut short in the middle of the desert following a mechanical breakdown of their truck.
Considering the gravity of this tragedy, Alarme Phone Sahara is making reflection and moral support its top priority. We offer our deepest and most heartfelt condolences to the families of the 49 victims, to their loved ones, and to the entire people of Niger. We share the distress of these families, whose joy at a festive reunion has been brutally transformed into national mourning. May the souls of our departed rest in peace. We also offer our full psychological and fraternal support to the only two survivors of this tragedy.
For us, this tragedy is a painful reflection of the socio-economic, security, and structural realities we have long denounced. The quest for subsistence drives people toward prosperous areas, artisanal gold mining sites, and other cross-border zones. These workers undertake long journeys under often precarious transportation conditions. The lack of paved roads, navigating through areas of armed conflict, the absence of communication networks, and the scarcity of essential water sources along the tracks expose drivers and passengers in isolated areas. Under these conditions, even the slightest mechanical failure immediately becomes a tragedy.
Amid this immense sorrow, Alarme Phone Sahara would like to solemnly acclaim the responsiveness of the regional and departmental authorities of Agadez. We commend the official delegation’s immediate deployment to the site to carry out the burial of the victims. We also express our deep gratitude for the life-saving actions of this same mission, which, on its return journey, located and rescued 60 passengers from a second truck in distress in time.
In the face of this unbearable tragedy, which adds to the many victims already documented by our teams in the desert — specifically in Assamaka — we call for the promotion and protection of the freedom of movement for all people.
We call for the deployment of emergency rescue resources along major transportation routes in the desert to provide timely assistance to anyone on the move.
We demand support for local rescue organizations so they can respond even more quickly in cases of distress in remote areas.
Finally, Alarme Phone Sahara, committed to its mission of rescuing people in distress, expresses its willingness to cooperate and act alongside authorities, partners, and local communities in such situations.
TikTok video on the latest tragedy in the desert of Niger - by @brutofficial :
©brutofficial
