Algeria continues to battle wildfires that have killed 12 people and injured 54 others across the provinces of Jijel, Bejaia, and Tizi Ouzou. However, social media reports say the toll is much higher.
The fires broke out on Wednesday, with strong winds helping the flames spread toward residential areas. Five people were killed in Jijel, four in Bejaia, and three women from the same family in Tizi Ouzou, according to Algerian media.
Jijel has been among the worst-hit areas. Prime Minister Sifi Ghrieb visited the province on Friday to monitor firefighting operations and check on residents affected by the fires.
However, fires were still being reported in several parts of Algeria.
According to Algeria 360, citing the Civil Protection, authorities recorded 174 fires between Thursday and Friday morning, including fires affecting forests, agricultural land, palm groves, and haystacks. Firefighters had brought 110 fires under control, while efforts to extinguish 64 others were continuing.
The fires have also displaced families in some affected areas. Algerian citizens, associations, and volunteers have organized aid campaigns, sending water, food, medicine, hygiene products, and mattresses to affected communities, according to Algerian outlet TSA.
President Abdelmadjid Tebboune declared three days of national mourning starting Thursday following the deaths. The national flag was ordered to be flown at half-mast during the mourning period.
Authorities have also launched investigations into the causes of the fires. Interior Minister Saïd Sayoud said security services would conduct detailed investigations after fires broke out in several provinces at almost the same time.
The latest fires come after Algeria experienced another major wave of wildfires earlier this summer.
