At least 12 people have died after wildfires raced through parts of northern Algeria, officials reported, in a series of blazes that have affected communities across the region.
The fires come amid an intense heatwave that has gripped much of northern Africa this summer. Authorities and weather services have recorded unusually high temperatures for the season, and dozens of separate fires have been reported across neighbouring countries as well as within Algeria.
Reports say firefighting crews and emergency services have been working to contain the blazes, with efforts continuing as conditions remain favourable for further spread. Local authorities have issued warnings in areas at risk, and there are ongoing efforts to assess the full scale of loss and damage.
The scale of this season’s fires has renewed focus on the risks posed by extreme heat in the region. Observers and emergency planners have highlighted how prolonged high temperatures and dry conditions increase wildfire risk and complicate suppression efforts, while underscoring the strain such events place on local response capabilities.
Further details on the precise locations affected and the causes of individual fires have yet to be released, and casualty figures may be revised as authorities complete their assessments.