Among the deceased are ten soldiers
July 25 (EUROPA PRESS) –
At least 34 people, including ten soldiers, have died due to the forest fires that have taken place in various regions of Algeria since Sunday caused by the heat wave, according to figures updated by the Algerian Ministry of the Interior.
The ministerial portfolio has indicated that there are currently eleven states affected by the agents, in which more than 8,000 troops and more than 500 Fire Departments are working, supported by teams from states not affected by the fires.
“In parallel, air sorties to extinguish the fires continue, including the inclusion of chartered aircraft from the Air Force of the Popular National Army, which continue to work at the level of the affected areas, despite difficult weather conditions due to strong winds and record high temperatures,” reads a statement.
Local authorities continue to monitor the situation and have ordered the preventive evacuation of residents from several wooded areas to safe places. A previous balance reported 15 deaths, in a context in which temperatures in the north of the country are close to 50 degrees.
In this context, the President of Algeria, Abdelmayid Tebune, has conveyed his condolences to the loved ones of the deceased, both civilians and members of the National Army: “In this painful ordeal, I present my most sincere condolences and my deep feeling of compassion to the relatives of the victims, assuring them of the absolute solidarity of the State”, he indicated, according to the APS news agency.
In addition, the authorities have opened preliminary investigations to determine the causes of the forest fires and to identify their perpetrators. “In the event that the criminal and subversive nature is established, the files will be forwarded to the Anti-Terrorism and Fight Against Organized Crime Section,” they point out from the Algerian Justice.
