Widespread Wildfires in Algeria Leave 12 Dead

Algeria’s interior minister said 12 people have died as a result of widespread wildfires across several provinces of the country.

Saeed Sayoud said on Wednesday evening in the province of Bejaia that the deaths were recorded as the fires engulfed several areas. He went to Bejaia on the orders of the Algerian president to inspect the efforts to contain the blazes up close.

The health minister, the director-general of national security and the director-general of civil protection in Algeria also accompanied him on the trip.

According to Algeria’s civil protection agency, 131 vegetation fires had been recorded in the country by 5 p.m. on Wednesday. The agency said most of the incidents occurred in eastern Algeria.

Bejaia recorded the highest number of fires, with 20 incidents. It was followed by the provinces of Tizi Ouzou with 13, Skikda with 10 and Jijel with six.

Bejaia is one of Algeria’s northern provinces and is located along the Mediterranean coast. Algeria’s civil protection agency is responsible for responding to emergencies and carrying out rescue operations.