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At least 12 dead as wildfires sweep through northern Algeria
BBC • • world
Key Points:
- At least 12 people have died and dozens injured as wildfires rage across northern Algeria, with 69 active blazes reported by civil protection authorities.
- The fires have affected several provinces along the northern coastline, including Jijel, Bejaia, and Tizi Ouzou, where evacuations of homes are underway.
- Interior Minister Said Sayoud and Health Minister Mohamed Seddik Ait Messaoudene visited Bejaia to evaluate firefighting and evacuation efforts amid ongoing emergency response.
- Northern Africa is experiencing a severe heatwave, exacerbating wildfire severity, with Algeria recording over 2,000 fires in July alone and climate change contributing to increasing temperatures.
- The World Meteorological Organization highlights North Africa as the fastest-warming African subregion, with rising heat also causing water shortages and increased camel deaths during summer heatwaves.
