The bodies of over 90 migrants, mostly women and children who died of thirst, have been found in the Sahara in northern Niger.

Their vehicles broke down as they tried to cross the desert. The migrants dispersed to seek water. Their bodies were found scattered, some reportedly partly eaten by animals.

The group had left Niger’s northernmost mining town Arlit, headed for Algeria. Around 20 people survived the ordeal, some walking kilometres through no-man’s land to raise the alarm.

The route across the Sahara is used by migrants from Niger, one of the world’s poorest countries, and further afield, many hoping to reach Europe.

Hundreds of those who make it to the Mediterranean have drowned trying to cross in recent months. The tragedies have prompted renewed debate in Europe about large-scale illegal migration from Africa and the dangers of human trafficking.