Algerian President Tebboune declares three days of national mourning after deadly fires in central and eastern regions

The President expressed deep sorrow and offered condolences to the bereaved families, acknowledging the difficult period the nation is enduring. This tragedy occurs as the state was beginning to compensate victims of previous fires. President Tebboune prayed for the deceased, considering them martyrs, and wished a swift recovery for the injured.

The situation on the ground remains critical. On Wednesday evening, the Minister of Interior, Local Communities, and Spatial Planning, Saïd Sayoud, visited Béjaïa on presidential instructions to monitor firefighting operations. Accompanied by the Minister of Health, the Director General of National Security, and the Director General of Civil Protection, the minister reported a preliminary death toll of 12 people.

Civil Protection services recorded 131 vegetation fires by Wednesday afternoon, primarily in the east. Béjaïa was the most affected wilaya with 20 fires, followed by Tizi Ouzou with 13, Skikda with 10, and Jijel with 6. During the three-day mourning period, the national flag will fly at half-mast on all public buildings, and all festive events and national sports competitions have been canceled.

Civil Protection teams, supported by significant human and material resources, continue their efforts to extinguish active fires and prevent f