Fourteen individuals, 12 Syrians and two Algerians, tragically died after being stranded in the harsh conditions of the Algerian desert near the Libyan border, the Algerian Relief Association for Search and Rescue reported on Monday.

The victims, all males aged between 10 and 55, were discovered in the Belguebbour desert located in southeastern Algeria. The Syrian Embassy in Algeria confirmed that twelve of the deceased were Syrian nationals, according to Anadolu Agency.

Algeria’s southern provinces are frequently used as transit points by African migrants attempting to reach Europe. The dangerous journey often involves traversing deserts and facing extreme weather conditions.

Human traffickers are highly active in these regions, organizing illicit smuggling operations that aim to transport migrants across the Mediterranean Sea into Europe, according to Algerian officials.