Algiers. A massive forest fire has caused devastation in the northeastern part of Algeria. According to the administration, 12 people died due to the fire. Meanwhile, on the instructions of President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, Interior Minister Saeed Sayud visited Bejaya and then Jijel province on Thursday. Reached the hospital to see the injured and took stock of the rescue operation.
According to Xinhua, Algeria's Interior Minister Saeed Sayud said that the dead included five people in Jijel province, four in Bejaia and three in Tiji Ouzou. He visited a hospital in Souk El Thenine city of Bejaia to inspect the treatment of people burnt in the fire and affected by the smoke.
According to officials, fire incidents were recorded at 159 places across the country on Wednesday. Of these, 36 fires broke out in Bejaya province alone, 18 of which have been brought under control. However, fire is still active at 18 places in Bejaya. Firefighting operations are also underway in 12 municipalities in neighboring Jijel province.
Algerian officials said the fires in Skikda, El Taraf, Bouira, Tiji Ouzou and Tebessa provinces had been brought under control. Many families from the affected areas have been evacuated to safe places. Amidst these forest fires, a severe heatwave is going on in Algeria and neighboring Tunisia. According to officials, extreme temperatures have increased the risk of the fire spreading.
The risk of forest fires often increases during the summer in Algeria's Mediterranean coastal areas. In recent years, increasing heat, drought and strong winds have made this risk more serious.
On the instructions of President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, Sayoud visited Béjaïa and Jijel, along with Health Minister Mohamed Seddiq Ait Messaoudne, to monitor firefighting efforts and inquire about the well-being of the injured.