Funerals have been held for victims of the deadly wildfires that swept through Algeria’s northeastern Jijel province, with members of the country’s Civil Protection carrying the coffins to the cemetery.
Prime Minister Sifi Ghrieb joined grieving families and residents in Djemaa Beni Habibi for the burial ceremonies on Friday.
Ghrieb had travelled to the region earlier in the week to assess the destruction caused by the fires and coordinate the government’s emergency response.
The wildfires have killed 12 people and injured 54 others, according to authorities.
President Abdelmadjid Tebboune declared three days of national mourning on Thursday in honour of those who lost their lives in the disaster.
Wildfires are a recurring threat during Algeria’s summer months, particularly in the country’s northern regions. However, rising temperatures and prolonged drought, which scientists have linked to climate change, are contributing to increasingly severe fires.
Authorities recorded nearly 2,000 wildfires across Algeria in July alone, highlighting the growing challenge posed by extreme heat and dry conditions.
The latest fires have caused significant damage in affected communities, with emergency services continuing efforts to contain the blazes and assist residents.
