African migrants waiting to board vehicle to Libya and then Europe in Agadez

Two Nigerian migrants seeking greener pastures in Europe, via Libya, have died in the Sahara Desert.

The two Nigerians were not identified by the Nigerien authorities,

They were among the 34 migrants, including 20 children,  found dead in the vast desert after being abandoned by their smuggler, according to  a statement read on Nigerien television on Wednesday. The nationalities of other victims were not also revealed by the government.

Agadez in the landlocked country’s arid north is a popular way-station for migrants attempting to traverse the Sahara Desert and reach Libya and eventually Europe.

Of the adult migrants, nine were women and five were men. They died between June 6-12, Interior Minister Bazoum Mohammed said, adding that President Mahamadou Issoufou expressed his condolences to their families.

The International Organisation for Migration estimates that 120,000 people crossed through Agadez last year. IOM recorded 37 migrants died in the desert last year.