15 dead in forest fires in Algeria

In a written statement made by the Algerian Ministry of Interior, it was stated that fires broke out last night in forests and agricultural land at 97 different points in 16 cities, with some of the fires spreading to villages.

In the statement, it was noted that 15 people have been killed, 26 people have been injured and 500 people have been evacuated so far in said fires. In the statement, it was indicated that the forest fires continue in coastal cities such as Bumerdas, Buveyra, Tizi Vizu, Bejaia, Jijel and Skikda, and the firefighting work continues, mobilizing all means.

The Algerian Civil Defense Presidency announced yesterday that forest fires have broken out in 7 cities in the north of the country due to the weather temperatures, and that aerial and ground extinction work continues. The Meteorology Institute also raised the alarm level for the current heat wave from orange to red yesterday and announced that the country is experiencing severe weather conditions where the air temperature exceeds 48 degrees.

The Algerian authorities had announced that the state of maximum alert had been activated due to the forecast that the heat wave, which has been going on for weeks, could cause forest fires.

Record temperatures have been in the country for about a month, reaching 48 degrees in the capital and 50 degrees in other regions. (AA)