Algeria wildfires kill 12, injure 54 as heatwave fuels 154 blazes
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At least 12 people died and 54 were injured as wildfires swept northeastern Algeria on Wednesday. Interior Minister Said Sayoud said 154 fires broke out in a single day, with six victims in critical condition. Dozens of families were evacuated from the hardest-hit areas.
Key Facts
- Interior Minister Said Sayoud said the deaths occurred in Jijel, Bejaia and Tizi Ouzou provinces.
- Civil Protection teams recorded 154 fire outbreaks across Algeria on Wednesday, including 36 in Bejaia province.
- Sayoud reported 54 burn cases at Souk El Thenine hospital, including six people in critical condition.
- Firefighting teams contained blazes in Skikda, El Tarf, Bouira, Tizi Ouzou and Tebessa provinces.
- Operations continued in Bejaia with 18 active hotspots and in Jijel with fires burning in 12 municipalities.
Casualties and Evacuations
Interior Minister Said Sayoud announced the death toll during a visit to Souk El Thenine hospital in Bejaia. Five deaths were recorded in Jijel prefecture, four in Bejaia and three in Tizi Ouzou. The hospital treated 54 burn cases, with six patients in critical condition. Dozens of families were evacuated from areas affected by the fires. Images from Jijel News showed residents seeking refuge in a post office amid thick smoke.
Firefighting Operations
Civil Protection teams recorded 154 fire outbreaks across Algeria on Wednesday. Bejaia province accounted for 36 outbreaks, with 18 brought under control. Firefighting teams contained blazes in Skikda, El Tarf, Bouira, Tizi Ouzou and Tebessa. Operations remained active in Bejaia with 18 hotspots and in Jijel with fires in 12 municipalities.
Heatwave and Seasonal Risk
The fires coincided with a severe heatwave sweeping Algeria and neighbouring Tunisia. Algeria endures deadly seasonal wildfires during peak summer months, with at least six people killed last month. Intense heatwaves and fierce winds have amplified fire risks across the forested Mediterranean coastline. Drought and climate change have exacerbated the disasters.
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Algeria wildfires kill 12, injure 54 as heatwave fuels 154 blazes
