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The desert town of Gao is 1,200km from the Malian capital. For many migrants it is the starting point for a dangerous trip across the Sahara Desert.

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Before their desert crossing, migrants bound for Europe are normally accommodated by smugglers in the town's mud-wall houses.

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The Touaregs are famous for their knowledge of the desert - which in some cases helps them smuggle illegal migrants.

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Gao's religious leaders want the authorities to take action against what they say are the migrants' "immoral" actions, such as prostitution.

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Gao used to be at the centre of the Songhai empire, which reached its zenith under the Askia dynasty founded by Askia Muhammad in 1492.

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Apart from people smuggling, there are few other sources of income in Gao.

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Salt dug up from under the sand has been traded across the Sahara Desert for centuries.

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Despite the harsh terrain around Gao, many people live by raising cattle and other animals.