According to Algerian authorities, more than 8,000 firefighters have been mobilized to fight the fires in areas such as Boumerdes, Bouira, Tizi Ouzou, Jijel, Bejaia and Skikda. So far, about 1,500 people have been evacuated. Authorities are investigating the cause of the fires.

President Abdelmadjid Tebboune on July 24 sent his deepest condolences to the families of the victims.

Smoke rises from a forest fire in the Algeria-Tunisia border area, July 20, 2023.

Algeria's interior ministry said temperatures in many parts of the country had reached 48 degrees Celsius (111 degrees Fahrenheit) and there were a total of 97 fires in 16 provinces. Firefighting operations were hampered by strong winds. Authorities urged people to stay away from areas affected by the fires and report any new outbreaks to the fire brigade.

Forest fires frequently break out in Algeria during the summer. This year, the situation has been exacerbated by a prolonged heatwave that has seen several Mediterranean countries experience record-breaking temperatures.

News and photos: VNA

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