World Bulletin / News Desk

Twenty children were among 34 refugees found dead in the Sahara desert, the Niger government said late Wednesday.

It is thought the group was crossing in a bid to eventually reach Europe.

Interior Minister Mohammed Bazoum said the group, which was found near the town of Assamakka on the Algeria-Niger border, is believed to have died of thirst between 6 and 12 June after being abandoned by smugglers.

Bazoum’s statement did not specify the nationality of the victims or provide further details other than to say nine women and five men were with the group.

Niger, which borders Libya and Algeria, is a major corridor for migration between sub-Saharan Africa and Europe.

In 2013, the bodies of 92 refugees were found buried in Nigerien part of the Sahara desert.

Niger, one of the world’s poorest countries, is also facing security problems in its southeast, where Boko Haram has carried out recent attacks causing more than 280,000 people to flee their homes.