Eleven people have been killed and 19 others injured after a fire tore through an orphanage in Algeria, according to local authorities. The blaze broke out at around 3:30 am on Thursday at a childcare facility in the Mohammadia district.
Death Toll and Injuries
Civil defence officials confirmed the death toll stood at 11 as firefighters continued efforts to bring the blaze under control. Ten people suffered burns of varying severity, while five people with disabilities were safely evacuated from the orphanage. The cause of the fire remains unknown.
Authorities have not identified the victims or disclosed their ages. Images released by authorities show thick smoke billowing from the building as firefighters battled the blaze.
Heatwave Context
Algeria has been gripped by a heatwave in recent days. State news agency APS reported that civil protection units had extinguished 913 fires nationwide since July 8, citing the General Directorate of Civil Protection.
