ALGERIA: A mass funeral was held on Friday, Aug. 28, in Jijel, eastern Algeria, for 12 people killed by wildfires that swept through several northeastern provinces, as authorities continued battling dozens of fires fueled by strong winds and extreme heat.
Algerian Prime Minister Sifi Ghrieb and other government officials attended the ceremony in Jijel on the orders of President Abdelmadjid Tebboune. The gathering came as the country mourned victims of fires that erupted Wednesday.
Interior Minister Said Sayoud said 12 people had died in the fires. Five deaths were reported in Jijel, four in Bejaia and three in Tizi Ouzou.
At least 54 people were injured, including six who were in serious condition. Many victims suffered burns and other injuries as the fires spread through affected areas. Among those killed in Bejaia were an 8-year-old boy and a 22-year-old woman, according to reports.
The fires also forced residents to leave their homes in parts of Bejaia and Jijel. Emergency crews worked to protect communities as thick smoke and flames spread across several areas.
On Wednesday evening, firefighters were still fighting 69 active fires, according to Algeria’s Civil Protection agency. Strong winds made the situation more difficult and helped the flames spread.
The disaster also caused major disruptions to transportation. Three national highways linking eastern regions were closed because of fires near Bejaia, Jijel and Setif, authorities said.
President Tebboune declared three days of national mourning Thursday. Flags across the country were ordered to be flown at half-staff as Algeria paid tribute to those who lost their lives.
The wildfires came during a severe heat wave across North Africa. Algeria’s meteorological service had warned earlier in the week that temperatures could reach 49 degrees Celsius in some provinces.
The country has faced a sharp rise in fires this year. Civil Protection recorded about 4,000 fires between May 1 and July 20, compared with 1,501 during the same period last year. That represents an increase of nearly 167%.
Yemen has expressed its solidarity with Algeria following the fires. It also expressed its support for the Algerian people and offered its sincere condolences to the families of the victims, wishing a speedy recovery to the injured.
Forest fires are common in northern Algeria during the summer, but rising temperatures and longer periods of dry weather can make them more dangerous. In July 2023, wildfires around Bejaia killed more than 30 people and destroyed forests, farmland and homes.
The latest tragedy has left families grieving while emergency workers continue efforts to control the flames and protect communities from further loss.
