JavaScript must be enabled in order for you to use the Site in standard view. However, it seems JavaScript is either disabled or not supported by your browser. To use standard view, enable JavaScript by changing your browser options.

| Last Updated:10/12/2024

Latest News

Archive

At least 65 killed in Algerian wildfires

 Reuters / Aug 11, 2021, 17:40 IST

ALGIERS: Wildfires tearing through forested areas of northern Algeria have killed at least 65 people, state television reported on Wednesday, as some of the most destructive blazes in the country's history continued to rage.

The government has deployed the army to help fight the fires, which have burnt most fiercely in the mountainous Kabylie region, and 28 of the dead are soldiers, with another 12 critically injured with burns.

President AbdelmadjidTebboune declared three days of national mourning for the dead and froze state activities not related to the fires.

Forest fires have set large parts of Algeria, Turkey and Greece aflame over the past week and a European

Union atmosphere monitor said the Mediterranean had become a wildfire hotspot aided by increasingly hot weather.

Dozens of separate fires have raged through forest areas across northern Algeria since Monday and on Tuesday interior minister KamelBeldjoud accused arsonists of igniting the flames, without providing any evidence.

The worst hit area has been TiziOuzou, the largest district of the Kabylie region, where houses have burned and residents fled to shelter in hotels, hostels and university accommodation in nearby towns.

The government has said it will compensate those affected.

 

(Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/rest-of-world/at-least-65-killed-in-algerian-wildfires/articleshow/85240897.cms