President Tebboune visits Mohammadia orphanage fire victims upon return from Germany
via Algérie3603 min read
Upon his return from Germany, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune immediately visited the Zeralda University Hospital Center for burn victims to check on the survivors of the Mohammadia Assisted Children's Establishment fire. The fire, which occurred overnight from Wednesday to Thursday, resulted in the deaths of ten children and a 52-year-old educator, and left 19 others injured. President Tebboune assured that the injured are in "safe hands" and emphasized the need for rigorous psychological support for the traumatized victims. He guaranteed the state's full mobilization, stating that all necessary resources have been provided to the medical teams at Zeralda University Hospital, which is equipped with highly qualified medical staff and advanced equipment. Care will be provided until the complete recovery of each patient. The president's visit, following an official trip to Germany, underscored the priority given to this national tragedy; he had previously paid tribute to the victims during a joint press conference with Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Berlin. The fire, which started around 3:30 AM on Thursday, July 16, in the eastern Algiers suburb of Mohammadia, was likely caused by an electrical spark from an air conditioner, according to scientific police experts. Five individuals with special needs were evacuated to safety. The institutional response included Prime Minister Sifi Ghrieb, accompanied by several ministers, visiting the hospitals to assess the situation and offer co
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Must ReadAn electrical spark from an air conditioner is believed to be the cause of a fire at the Mohammadia assisted children's establishment in Algiers on July 16, 2026, which resulted in 11 deaths, including 10 children and a 52-year-old educator. The General Directorate of National Security DGSN stated that specialized teams opened an investigation immediately after the incident. Initial findings from scientific police experts and crime scene technicians indicate the fire originated from an electrical spark in an air conditioner located in a first-floor room. The National Security clarified that the spark was linked to the continuous operation of the appliance amid high temperatures. The investigation remains open to determine all circumstances and establish any responsibilities. Following the fire, the Ministry of National Solidarity, Family and Women's Affairs, led by Minister Soraya Mouloudji, held an emergency meeting. Measures include monitoring the care of the injured, relocating children to alternative facilities, establishing a national risk monitoring and management unit, harmonizing safety standards in sector establishments, and strengthening staff training in prevention and emergency response in coordination with Civil Protection. A centralized digital mechanism will also be implemented to track safety measure application. The minister praised the efforts of the establishment's staff and on-duty team for protecting children during the fire.