In recent days, at least 50 Sudanese individuals have tragically lost their lives while attempting to enter Egypt through unofficial land routes. These deaths have been attributed to severe heatstroke, dehydration, and exhaustion.
Attempting to enter Egypt illegally poses significant risks. Many have faced fatal accidents due to vehicle rollovers, snake and scorpion bites, extreme summer heat, or becoming lost in the desert.
Several Sudanese have recounted the harrowing journey, which spans several days. The first obstacle is often exploitation by vehicle owners, typically human trafficking gangs, who transport them to the border.
These smugglers frequently demand additional payments and force long waits in storage areas in the desert and mountains, where conditions are harsh due to intense heat and a lack of water and food. Additionally, they fall victim to theft by tuk-tuk drivers, who abandon them on the roadside or after stealing their possessions.
Social media campaigns have emerged, urging Sudanese not to travel to Egypt illegally due to the rising death toll associated with these journeys.
Aswan has been receiving numerous fatalities daily, with many individuals succumbing to the harsh conditions of the journey, particularly among the elderly, children, and those with chronic illnesses.
Sudanese social media networks in Aswan have repeatedly highlighted the need for assistance, especially for those arriving without the knowledge of their families due to a lack of communication after entering Egypt.
Many face dire humanitarian conditions and require immediate medical attention upon arrival in Aswan but fear visiting government hospitals due to stringent procedures and legal consequences. This situation calls for intervention by organizations and their partners to provide support and aid.
Given the increasing trend of illegal crossings into Egypt, the Sudanese Consulate in Aswan has warned Sudanese citizens and their families of the dangers involved.
These include vehicle accidents, desert disorientation, extortion, and theft by human traffickers, as well as the risk of arrest and imprisonment.
The consulate’s warnings underscore recent incidents, including traffic accidents resulting in multiple fatalities and serious injuries.
On Thursday, Aswan witnessed a tragedy involving a family of five who perished due to dehydration and disorientation. The bodies were abandoned in a residential area by a tuk-tuk driver who fled to avoid legal repercussions.
Another family in the Sadaka neighborhood has called for help for Sudanese arriving through illegal means in poor condition, with one person dying upon arrival and another requiring urgent medical care.
Social media platforms are emphasizing the need for Sudanese and Egyptian authorities to address this issue. Families are advised to halt attempts to enter Egypt illegally, especially given the adverse weather conditions. Some families are desperately seeking information about missing relatives who have not reached Aswan for over two days.
Survivors of these perilous journeys have reported numerous deaths buried in the desert. More than 100 individuals are currently suffering from thirst, disorientation, and vehicle breakdowns, stranded in the desert between the Sudanese border and southern Egypt. The journey has become increasingly hazardous for everyone involved.
Dr. Imtiaz, an emergency physician at Aswan Hospital, revealed that the emergency department received around eight deaths in a single shift, primarily elderly and children who succumbed to heatstroke and dehydration after traveling through the desert illegally.
He urged, “If you don’t want to die on the streets, avoid traveling in these conditions. Don’t let the smugglers deceive you; they only care about their profit and your money.”
Reports indicate that the death toll reached 24 by last night, with more cases expected to arrive at Aswan hospitals. The morgues at Aswan Hospital and Sadaka Hospital have been overwhelmed with bodies over the past two days.
