Arabic version: حرائق الغابات تقتل 12 شخصاً مع موجة حر تضرب شمال الجزائر

According to France 24, wildfires killed 12 people and injured dozens in northeastern Algeria on Wednesday as a severe heatwave swept across North Africa. Interior Minister Said Sayoud said five people died in Jijel province, four in Bejaia and three in Tizi Ouzou.

Sayoud said 54 people were receiving treatment for burns at a hospital in Bejaia, including six in serious condition. An eight-year-old boy and a 22-year-old woman were among those killed in Bejaia, a local radio station reported.

Authorities were battling more than 150 blazes as fires spread through northern Algeria. By 8:00 pm Wednesday, the civil protection agency said firefighters were tackling 69 fires. The agency deployed significant resources, while strong winds were helping fuel the blazes.

Residents in Bejaia and Jijel were evacuated, according to the civil protection agency and local media. Three major national highways near Bejaia, Jijel and Setif were closed because of forest fires. Images shown by Jijel News depicted residents sheltering in a post office as thick smoke moved through the area.

Forest fires regularly affect northern Algeria during summer. France 24 reported that climate change is intensifying their effects through more frequent droughts and severe heat. More than 30 people died in fires around Bejaia in July 2023, while authorities recorded nearly 2,000 fires nationwide in July this year.