Credited from: LEMONDE
Wildfires have ravaged northeastern Algeria, killing at least 12 people and injuring over 54, according to the country's Interior Minister, Said Sayoud. The firings are primarily concentrated in the provinces of Jijel, Bejaia, and Tizi Ouzou. Tragic reports include the deaths of an eight-year-old boy and a 22-year-old woman in Bejaia, underlining the crisis faced by families in the region, according to Le Monde, Al Jazeera, and BBC.
Minister Sayoud reported that firefighters were battling 154 active wildfires as a severe heatwave continues to grip Algeria and neighboring Tunisia. He stated that 54 injured individuals were being treated, including six in critical condition. Many residents, particularly from coastal areas like Bejaia, have been evacuated due to the blazes, emphasizing the urgency of emergency response measures, as detailed by Al Jazeera and BBC.
Footage has emerged showing terrified residents seeking refuge from thick smoke, with many taking shelter in public buildings. As the civil protection agency continues to combat these fires, they confirmed that 69 blazes were still underway. The situation has been aggravated by intensified heat and drought conditions attributed to climate change, which have turned annual wildfires into devastating seasonal events across Algeria, as noted by Le Monde, Al Jazeera, and BBC.