At least 11 people were killed and 19 others injured in a fire that broke out at an orphanage in a suburb of Algiers overnight, according to Algerian emergency services. The incident comes as the country faces a severe heatwave and has recorded nearly 1,000 fires in just one week.

The fire broke out at a children’s welfare centre in the Mohamadia district, the Civil Protection Agency said in a statement. Emergency crews arrived at the scene at around 3 a.m.

The cause of the blaze remains unknown. Rescue services did not provide the ages of the victims or clarify whether any children were among those killed or injured.

“Civil Protection services are continuing their firefighting operations,” the agency said, announcing a preliminary death toll of 11.

Prime Minister Sifi Grieb visited the injured at Zeralda Hospital in the suburbs of Algiers before travelling to Mustapha Pacha Hospital in the capital, according to state television.

913 fires extinguished

Several regions of Algeria have been experiencing an unusual heatwave for several days, particularly in the north of the country.

A 59-year-old municipal employee died while taking part in firefighting efforts, according to local media, citing the mayor of Beni Mouhli in Setif province, northeastern Algeria.

Between 8 July and 15 July, Civil Protection services recorded 932 fires, of which “913 had been extinguished as of this morning”, Karim Harbi, deputy director of operations, told the official news agency Algeria Press Service (APS).

The Civil Protection Agency said it had mobilised more than 19,000 personnel and over 700 firefighting trucks and specialist vehicles, along with six helicopters and 12 firefighting aircraft, to tackle the forest fires.

Every summer, northern Algeria is affected by wildfires, a phenomenon intensified by periods of drought and extreme heat.

In recent years, major fires have killed dozens of people and destroyed tens of thousands of hectares of forests and farmland, as well as numerous homes. According to authorities, some of the fires were caused by arson, and suspects have been arrested.