At least twelve people lost their lives and dozens more were injured on Wednesday as a result of the fierce forest fires sweeping through northeastern Algeria, forcing hundreds of residents to flee their homes in a hurry.
According to authorities and local media, the victims are from the provinces of Djizel (5 dead), Bejaia (4 dead), and Tizi Ouzou (3 dead). Among the victims in the province of Bejaia are an 8-year-old boy and a 22-year-old woman, while 54 people were reported injured in the same area, six of whom are in serious condition.
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Interior Minister Saïd Sayoud and Health Minister Mohamed Sadik Aït Mesauden traveled to Bejaia to oversee firefighting operations and the care for the victims. Due to the dozens of active fire fronts flared up by strong winds, three major national highways in the eastern part of the country have been closed to traffic, while substantial firefighting forces remain deployed on the ground.
Northern Algeria is regularly plagued by deadly wildfires in the summer, a problem exacerbated by prolonged heat waves and drought, and in some cases, authorities have arrested suspects on arson charges.
SOURCE: KYPE
