8 members of Sudanese family die of starvation, thirst after losing way in Libyan desert

Shocking images that emerged online showed 8 members of a Sudanese family found dead six months after departing on a journey across the Libyan desert.

MENA

1 min read

The New Arab Staff

13 February, 2021

The family was found 400km from Kufra [Twitter]

At least 8 members of a Sudanese family died after losing their way in the Libyan desert, local media reported, noting a handwritten "will" was found.

Shocking images that surfaced on social media showed bodies thrown around the car, some of which had been partially buried by sand dunes.

Local media reported some 21 people, including children, were travelling onboard the white Toyota Sequoia that was found 400km southwest of the Libyan city of Kufra.

The bodies of three women and five men were found dead at the scene. The fate of the remaining 13 remains unknown.

An investigation launched by Libyan police found the family departed on a journey from Sudan's El Fasher to Libya's Kufra city in August last year. The car was found earlier this week - six months later - accompanied by a handwritten letter.

"To whoever finds this paper, this is my brother's number. I entrust you with God, and forgive me that I did not bring my mother to you," the touching letter read.

Authorities have launched an investigation to determine how the tragic incident unfolded.

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