Twenty-six people died and dozens were injured in forest fires that hit 14 areas in northern Algeria, according to the Algerian Interior Minister Kamal Beljoud, who reported a new toll of the fires. During the 8 PM news bulletin, Beljoud offered condolences to the families of the fire victims, noting that "in the state of El Tarf, 24 victims were recorded, and in the state of Setif, two victims were recorded." Earlier, the Civil Protection stated that 39 fires in 14 states are still ongoing, and the border state of El Tarf with Tunisia also recorded 16 fires. Helicopters intervened in three states including Souk Ahras, and several people are suffering from burns or breathing difficulties, but the minister did not give a new count of the injured. A previous Civil Protection report mentioned four people injured with burns of varying degrees and 41 others facing breathing difficulties in the border area of Souk Ahras with Tunisia. Photos taken in this area showed citizens fleeing their homes amid the flames. On the other hand, local media reported the evacuation of 350 residents, mentioning road closures and the advance of fires towards some cities.

The Interior Minister clarified that since the beginning of this month, 106 fires broke out, leading to the destruction of 800 hectares of forests and 1800 hectares of lands. The minister confirmed that some of these fires were deliberate.

With the toll recorded on Wednesday, the number of victims of this summer’s fires rises to 30 dead.

For reference, forests in Algeria cover an area of 4.1 million hectares, and the north of the country witnesses forest fires every year. This phenomenon is increasing sharply due to climate change, and the summer of 2021 recorded the highest number of deaths, with at least 90 people killed following forest fires that hit the north of the country and destroyed more than 100,000 hectares of forests.