Chad: French Tourist Dies Hiking in Sahara During Festival

A 70-year-old French retiree has died while on a tourist excursion in Chad, authorities have reported. The man’s body was discovered in the mountains of Bachekele, and officials are awaiting the arrival of a prosecutor to conduct a formal assessment before the body can be transported to N’Djamena.

Tourist Group and the Festival

The retiree, originally from Dijon, France, was part of a group of approximately 50 tourists visiting Chad to attend the Festival des Cultures sahariennes (Ficsa), which began on Saturday in Amdjarass, a town located roughly 60 miles from the border with Sudan.

Unapproved Exploration

According to Mahamat Togou Tchohimi, a local representative of the Chadian government, the deceased and a companion, also French, departed from the main group “without a guide” with the intention of “discovering the zone” around the Guelta de Bachikele, an oasis in the Chadian Sahara.

Did You Know? The group of tourists was organized by the French travel agency Point Afrique and the French cultural association La Saharienne.

Search and Recovery

The two men reportedly left the group on Wednesday morning “without prior authorization” and “outside the established framework,” as stated by the Chadian Ministry of Tourism. Their absence was noted in the early afternoon, prompting a search operation.

After two hours of searching, one of the tourists was found. He indicated that he had become “lost” after attempting to “dissuade his companion from continuing his progress,” according to a statement from the Ministry of Tourism.

Expert Insight: The circumstances surrounding this incident highlight the inherent risks associated with independent travel in remote regions, particularly when established safety protocols are not followed. The lack of a guide and prior authorization significantly increased the potential for misadventure.

Possible Next Steps

Following the prosecutor’s assessment, the deceased’s remains are likely to be repatriated to France. The Chadian authorities may also review the safety protocols for organized tourist groups visiting the region. Further investigation could focus on the circumstances that led the two men to leave the group without authorization.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the purpose of the tourist group’s visit?

The group of approximately 50 tourists was in Chad to attend the Festival des Cultures sahariennes (Ficsa), which opened on Saturday in Amdjarass.

Where did the incident occur?

The death occurred in the mountains of Bachekele, near the Guelta de Bachikele oasis in the Chadian Sahara.

What did the surviving tourist report?

The surviving tourist reported that he became “lost” after attempting to convince his companion to stop moving forward.

What factors might contribute to ensuring the safety of tourists in remote areas like the Chadian Sahara?