At least 11 children have died in a devastating fire at a children's care home in Algeria. The fire broke out at around 3:30 AM local time on July 16, 2026, at an orphanage in the Mohammadia district of Algiers, the capital.
Authorities Confirm Casualties
Algerian authorities confirmed 11 deaths, with local news outlet Algerie Patriotique reporting that all victims were children. President Abdelmadjid Tebboune stated that "several children" were among the dead, according to Vanguard. Ten people suffered burns of varying severity, while five others with special needs were evacuated from the facility. Two individuals experienced respiratory distress, and seven were in a state of shock, as reported by Algeria's General Directorate of Civil Protection.
Emergency Response
The Civil Protection services received the alert at 3:32 AM and dispatched ten fire trucks, 16 ambulances, two ladder trucks, and the GRIMP (Ground Rock Intervention Unit) to the scene. Colonel Boualem Boughlaf, Director General of Civil Protection, personally oversaw the firefighting operations. Images from the scene show thick smoke billowing from the building as crews fought the blaze.
Cause Under Investigation
The cause of the fire has not yet been established, according to the Mirror. Algeria has been experiencing a severe heatwave in recent days, with more than 900 fires reportedly extinguished across the country since July 8. The tragedy has prompted an outpouring of grief and condolences from officials and citizens alike.
