The Limited Times

Algeria: a majority of fires controlled by firefighters, some fires still in progress

8/13/2021, 1:27:31 PM


The blazes ravaging northern Algeria are gradually being brought under control, especially in Kabylia, a particularly affected region.

After Greece and Catalonia, it is Algeria's turn to take advantage of a little respite.

The Kabylia region has been hit for several days by devastating flames following the very high heat which affects the whole of the Maghreb.

But according to the authorities, the fires are being brought under control, especially in the Tizi-Ouzou region in the north of the country.

Algeria was able to count on the support of two firefighting planes from France.

Three water bombers from Spain and Switzerland were expected this Friday according to President Abdelmadjid Tebboune.

Thirty more fires to control

In total, of the hundred fires recorded Thursday across 15 prefectures of the country, 76 were completely extinguished.

Nevertheless, nearly thirty are still underway in 11 other prefectures, notably in Jijel, Bejaïa and Boumerdès, according to the latest Civil Protection report.

Some fire starts were also noted in the Tizi-Ouzou region.

The battle is therefore far from being totally won.

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Regarding the human toll, 71 people were killed in these flames, some of which are "of criminal origin" according to the authorities and heightened by the extreme heat. In Guelma, the mercury is still 42 ° C this Friday afternoon. In a few hours, a prayer of homage to the victims will take place just after the great weekly Muslim Friday prayer in the mosques of Algeria.