At least 12 people have died after wildfires tore through several provinces in Algeria, with dozens more injured as an intense heatwave continues to grip parts of North Africa.
Algeria’s Interior Minister Said Sayoud confirmed the deaths late Wednesday, saying five people were killed in Jijel province, while four died in Bejaia and another three in Tizi Ouzou.
A further 54 people suffered burn injuries in the fires, including six victims who were in critical condition and receiving treatment in intensive care, Sayoud said.
The scale of the emergency became clear as Algeria’s civil protection services reported 154 wildfires across the country on Wednesday alone. Bejaia was among the worst-hit areas, recording 36 separate fires.
Authorities said 18 of the fires in Bejaia had been brought under control, while firefighting teams continued efforts to contain the remaining blazes and prevent them from spreading further.
The wildfires erupted as an exceptional heatwave swept across North Africa, with Algeria and neighbouring Tunisia among the countries experiencing particularly severe temperatures. Hot, dry conditions can significantly increase the risk of vegetation igniting and allow fires to spread rapidly.
The latest disaster has placed additional pressure on emergency services already dealing with extreme weather conditions. Residents in affected areas have been urged to remain alert as authorities continue monitoring fire activity.
The combination of soaring temperatures, dry vegetation and strong winds can make wildfire outbreaks particularly difficult to contain, raising concerns that more fires could develop if the extreme weather persists.
Officials have yet to provide a full assessment of the damage caused by the fires, including the number of homes or other properties affected. Rescue and firefighting operations remain ongoing across the worst-hit provinces.
At least 12 people have died after wildfires tore through several provinces in Algeria, with dozens more injured as an intense heatwave continues to grip parts of North Africa.
Algeria’s Interior Minister Said Sayoud confirmed the deaths late Wednesday, saying five people were killed in Jijel province, while four died in Bejaia and another three in Tizi Ouzou.
A further 54 people suffered burn injuries in the fires, including six victims who were in critical condition and receiving treatment in intensive care, Sayoud said.
The scale of the emergency became clear as Algeria’s civil protection services reported 154 wildfires across the country on Wednesday alone. Bejaia was among the worst-hit areas, recording 36 separate fires.
Authorities said 18 of the fires in Bejaia had been brought under control, while firefighting teams continued efforts to contain the remaining blazes and prevent them from spreading further.
The wildfires erupted as an exceptional heatwave swept across North Africa, with Algeria and neighbouring Tunisia among the countries experiencing particularly severe temperatures. Hot, dry conditions can significantly increase the risk of vegetation igniting and allow fires to spread rapidly.
The latest disaster has placed additional pressure on emergency services already dealing with extreme weather conditions. Residents in affected areas have been urged to remain alert as authorities continue monitoring fire activity.
The combination of soaring temperatures, dry vegetation and strong winds can make wildfire outbreaks particularly difficult to contain, raising concerns that more fires could develop if the extreme weather persists.
Officials have yet to provide a full assessment of the damage caused by the fires, including the number of homes or other properties affected. Rescue and firefighting operations remain ongoing across the worst-hit provinces.
