Heatwave in Algeria

Heatwave in Algeria – farmers fight forest fires

The ongoing heatwave in Algeria has caused countless forest fires in the northernmost parts of the country in recent days, reports France 24. On Wednesday alone, over 130 fires are said to have broken out, according to local authorities – in many cases, farmers are affected.

According to the state-run Turkish news agency AA, the heatwave will continue on Friday, with temperatures reaching 45 degrees on the Mediterranean coast. In some of Algeria's desert areas, temperatures of 49 degrees are expected, writes AA.

At least one person has been killed in connection with the fires, writes France 24. On Thursday morning, eleven people died after a fire at an orphanage outside the capital Algiers, but it is currently unclear whether it was caused by the heat wave, reports the BBC.

Eleven dead after fire at orphanage in Algeria

Eleven people have died after a fire broke out at an orphanage on the outskirts of the Algerian capital Algiers on Thursday morning, reports Reuters.

According to the AFP news agency, it is still unclear what caused the fire. Algerian authorities have not released any age information on the dead. 19 people are said to have been injured in the fire.

Over the past week, Algeria has been plagued by a heat wave. During the same period, almost 1,000 fires have broken out around the country, writes AFP.