Death toll from fires in northern Algeria rises to 37, including 13 children

Aug. 18 (EUROPA PRESS) –

At least 37 people have died, including 13 minors, from the fires that have been affecting the northeast of Algeria for several days, according to a new balance of victims released this Thursday by the authorities.

The most affected region is El Tarf, where at least 30 people have perished, while more than 160 have been injured. The emergency services are also aware of another five deaths in Suk Ahras and another two in Sétif, reports the Tout sur l’Algerie portal.

The fires intensified on Wednesday, with more than a hundred active sources. Interior Minister Kamal Beldjoud estimated that some 2,600 hectares of land had burned and warned that high temperatures and strong winds complicate the task of extinction.