Wildfires Kill 37 in Algeria

Algiers – At least 37 people lost their lives amid wildfires sweeping through eastern Algeria, the country’s civil protection service said on Thursday.

In the Wilaya of El Tarf (East), the death toll increased to 30, including 11 children, local media said, quoting the civil protection service.

Some 1,800 hectares of brush and 800 hectares of forests have been ravaged by wildfires in the Wilayas of El Tarf, Setif, Souk Ahras, Jijel, Skikda and Tipasa.

In total, 39 fires started in 14 regions in recent days and several of them are still active.

Last year, major wildfires killed 104 people in Algeria, including 33 soldiers.