In brief
In the early hours of Thursday, a fire erupted at a foster care facility in Algiers, killing 11 people and wounding 19 others. Sixteen individuals were rescued, including five children with special needs. The incident occurred during a severe heatwave that has already caused nearly a thousand fires across the country. The Prime Minister visited hospitals to meet the victims’ families. Authorities urged the public to stay vigilant as the blaze has uncovered widespread vulnerabilities in housing safety.
Algiers Foster Care Home Fire
In an early‑morning emergency, a blaze broke out at a foster care facility in Algiers, Algeria’s capital. Authorities confirmed that 11 people lost their lives and 19 others sustained injuries.
The fire was extinguished after 50 minutes, but the damage was already catastrophic. Sixteen people were rescued, including five children identified as having special needs; they were moved to safe locations.
The incident unfolded during a prolonged heatwave that has set off almost one thousand fires across the country in the last week.
Algerian Prime Minister Abdelmadjid Tebboune made a state visit to the hospitals to meet the families and check on the injured.
The government’s civil‑protection department urges citizens to report any fire hazards and to keep fire‑extinguishers handy, as the country battles rising temperatures and widespread power outages.
