Rabat – Algeria has reported 26 deaths due to forest fires in its northern region as wildfires continue to claim lives and cause property damage in different regions in North Africa.
Algeria’s Interior Ministry confirmed the death of at least 26 people, while dozens were injured due to the forest fires that blazed through 14 districts in the country’s northern region.
Many people were evacuated from their residences as part of the rescue efforts.
Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune issued his condolences to the families of the victims, assuring them of his support and the full mobilization of all services to end the fire.
Algerian military high command said it mobilized Air Force firefighting helicopters to help in the rescue attempts.
The forest fires broke out in several forests, including El Taref, Souk Ahras, Skikda, Bejaia, Setif, Jijel, and Annaba.
Army command has reported strong winds which prevent helicopters from intervening in some areas, vowing that it will spare no effort to make all human and material resources available to end the fires.
Algeria experienced devastating wildfires last year, including in the Kabylia region. In August 2021, reports said the death toll had reached 90, including claiming the lives of several soldiers who attempted to fight against the forest fires.
In addition to Algeria, several regions across Morocco are experiencing similar wildfires, charring hundreds of hectares of land.
The recent wildfires in the M’diq-Fnideq in northern Morocco have caused the death of three members of the civil protection services, after their vehicle fell in a ravine while trying to put out the fire earlier this week.
The incident caused serious injuries to two other firefighters. The mobilization of personnel and efforts continue, in order to end the fire in the region.
