Algeria Wildfires Leave 12 Dead, 54 Injured

At least 12 people have been killed and 54 others injured after wildfires swept through parts of northeastern Algeria amid a severe heatwave.

The deaths were reported in the provinces of Jijel, Bejaia and Tizi Ouzou, according to Interior Minister Said Sayoud. Five people died in Jijel, four in Bejaia and three in Tizi Ouzou.

Authorities said 54 people suffered burn injuries and smoke inhalation, with six in critical condition. Dozens of families have also been evacuated from areas threatened by the fires.

Civil Protection teams recorded 154 wildfires across Algeria in a single day, including 36 in Bejaia province. Eighteen of the fires there had been brought under control, while firefighting operations continued in several other areas.

The fires come as a severe heatwave affects Algeria and neighbouring Tunisia, increasing the risk of rapidly spreading wildfires.

Authorities said fires had been contained in Skikda, El Tarf, Bouira, Tizi Ouzou and Tebessa. However, 18 active hotspots remained in Bejaia, while fires continued to burn across 12 municipalities in Jijel.

Algeria regularly experiences deadly wildfires during the summer. Experts have linked the growing intensity of heatwaves, drought and strong winds along the country's Mediterranean coastline to increasing wildfire risks.

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