Deadly Algerian wildfires claim 12 lives amid regional heatwave

At least 12 people have died and 54 others were injured as wildfires swept through northern Algeria, with six victims in critical condition. The blazes, numbering over 150 across the country, hit provinces including Jijel, Bejaia, and Tizi Ouzou, forcing evacuations. Authorities are battling the fires as a severe heatwave continues to affect North Africa.

EXPANDED:

The fires concentrated in the mountainous Kabylie region, with Jijel recording the highest death toll at five, followed by four in Bejaia and three in Tizi Ouzou. Interior Minister Said Sayoud and Health Minister Mohamed Seddik Ait Messaoudene traveled to Bejaia to oversee firefighting operations and assess the wounded. Civil protection services logged 154 blazes nationwide, with Bejaia alone reporting 36 fires, half of which were