Arabic version: دفن جماعي يثير تساؤلات حول حصيلة حرائق الجزائر
According to France 24, a mass burial in Djemaa Beni Habibi has raised fresh questions over the death toll from wildfires that swept northeastern Algeria in late August. Authorities last reported 12 deaths and 54 injuries on August 26, while footage and local information suggest the toll in the Jijel region may be substantially higher.
The fires, known locally and by some officials as “Black Wednesday”, began on August 26 and affected areas including Texenna, El Ancer and El Milia. NASA’s FIRMS wildfire-monitoring site showed active fires or temperature anomalies in those towns between August 26 and 27.
Videos filmed by residents showed preparations for a mass grave and a funeral on August 28 in Djemaa Beni Habibi, about 30 kilometres east of Jijel. Footage showed coffins, individual burial mounds and excavation work. Prime Minister Sifi Ghrieb and other government officials attended the burial, but official local authority accounts did not state how many people were buried.
France 24’s Observers team said it documented 72 names in two Facebook posts published by the village on August 27, listing wildfire victims recorded by two hospitals. The team said it counted at least 98 victims in the Jijel region using statements from officials, local governments and families, while reports in local media brought its estimate to nearly 130 potential victims. Journalist Nozha Khelalef documented more than 200 names, according to Algerian media and Le Monde.
Jeune Afrique reported on August 28 that anonymous sources close to Algeria’s Ministry of Defence said 385 people had died and more were missing. France 24 said Algeria’s Civil Defence did not respond to its request for an updated official toll. Separately, pro-Morocco social media accounts circulated unverified claims and misleading descriptions of burial footage; the outlet said the burial was held in daytime and attended publicly.
