Eleven dead, 19 injured in fire at Mohammadia assisted children's establishment in Algiers
via Algérie3603 min read
A fire at the Mohammadia Assisted Children's Establishment in eastern Algiers early on Thursday, July 16, has resulted in 11 deaths and 19 injuries. The injured include 10 with burns, 2 with respiratory difficulties, and 7 suffering from psychological shock. Five people with special needs were also evacuated to safety. Prime Minister Sifi Ghrieb visited the hospitalized victims and conveyed condolences from President Abdelmadjid Tebboune to the affected families. He also stated that instructions have been given for optimal medical care for the injured. An investigation has been launched to determine the exact cause and circumstances of the fire, which remains unknown. Civil Protection teams quickly responded to the incident, deploying 10 fire trucks, 16 ambulances, a specialized intervention team GRIMP, two trucks with mechanical ladders, and reinforcements from the National Training and Intervention Unit. Operations to extinguish the fire and conduct reconnaissance are ongoing, indicating the casualty figures are provisional. While Algeria is experiencing a heatwave with numerous fires, no link has been established between the weather conditions and the Mohammadia incident.
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Algérie360.
Must ReadThe African Development Bank AfDB has approved a $878.09 million funding package for the construction of a 230-kilometer railway section connecting Ghardaïa to El Meniaâ in Algeria. This segment is part of a larger 495-kilometer railway line intended to connect the Great South of Algeria. The overall project aims to link Algiers to Tamanrasset, forming a north-south railway artery that will facilitate the transport of mineral and agricultural resources from the Sahara to the Mediterranean coast. The AfDB's support is seen as crucial for Algeria's strategy to open up its territories and strengthen its logistics infrastructure, positioning the country as a hub for trade between Sub-Saharan Africa, the Mediterranean basin, and Europe. Mike Salawou, AfDB Director of Infrastructure and Urban Development, stated that the funding will support strategic railway infrastructure to stimulate economic transformation, territorial connectivity, and regional integration. The project is also integral to Algeria's economic diversification efforts, moving away from its historical reliance on hydrocarbons. This railway line is expected to integrate into the trans-Saharan railway corridor, connecting Algeria to its Sahel neighbors and further to West and Central Africa, thereby boosting the "made in Algeria" presence in African markets. The AfDB views this investment as strengthening Algeria's role as a gateway between Africa, the Mediterranean, and Europe, and reaffirms its partnership in moder
Rachida Brakni, a Franco-Algerian actress, director, and singer, has declined the Legion of Honor, France's highest civilian award, after her name appeared on the prestigious July 14th civil promotion list. Brakni announced her decision on Instagram, stating that the "question of honor" extends beyond official medals. She expressed surprise at the nomination, which she was not informed about in advance. The 49-year-old actress explained that her sense of honor is a "precious moral duty" she strives to apply daily in her work, writing, and life choices, valuing the esteem of those important to her more than any distinction. Brakni attributes her strong principles to her late father, Kaddour, an Algerian immigrant worker, who instilled in her a strict upbringing and courage, providing her with a "passport to freedom" that fueled her social and artistic success, including César and Molière awards in 2002. Her book, "Kaddour," explores this spiritual connection and the complexities of exile, recounting the repatriation of her father's body to Tipaza, Algeria, during the pandemic, and honoring a generation of uprooted men between France and Algeria.
Saudia Airlines has inaugurated a new direct flight route connecting Oran, Algeria, to Medina, Saudi Arabia, starting July 13. This non-stop service aims to strengthen economic and cultural ties between the two countries and enhance passenger comfort, particularly for pilgrims traveling for Hajj or Umrah. The flight from Oran's Ahmed Ben Bella Airport to Medina's Mohamed Bin Abdulaziz Airport takes approximately 5 hours and 15 minutes, covering a distance of about 4,040 kilometers. Saudia Airlines is deploying its Boeing 777-300 aircraft for this route. Additionally, a new Saudia Airlines physical agency has opened at Ahmed Ben Bella Airport in Oran, offering travelers the convenience of purchasing tickets, obtaining information, and managing travel arrangements directly at the airport. A one-way ticket from Oran to Medina is available from 107,205 DA. This new connection expands the network of direct flights from Algeria to major Saudi cities, complementing existing services to Jeddah, which operates twice weekly with a flight duration of 6 hours 15 minutes to 6 hours 30 minutes.