https://pbs.twimg.com/media/HJ_QxgSXgAADRWL?format=jpg&name=large

that's the official story, at least. the corpses (in photos) don't seem to have gunshots or obvious injuries, so dehydration might be the actual cause of death. supposedly the bus was traveling from mali into niger on well-established but poorly-marked desert roads, took a wrong turn, lost the road, and then broke down.

they were not carrying enough water to make it to the nearest town on food, and died on the way.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5871297&forum_id=2).#49916555)