Algeria Orphanage Fire Claims 11 Lives in Heatwave

A tragic fire erupted at an orphanage in Mohammadia, a suburb of Algiers, Algeria, on Thursday morning, resulting in the deaths of 11 individuals, including children. The blaze began around 3:30 a.m. as emergency services were already stretched thin, battling over 900 fires across the country during an intense heatwave. Temperatures in Algeria have reached extreme levels, with forecasts predicting further highs. Ten people sustained burn injuries, while nine others received treatment for respiratory issues and shock. Five individuals with special needs were safely evacuated. President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, who was on an official visit to Germany, expressed his condolences via social media, acknowledging the great calamity that occurred on National Children's Day. This incident is part of a broader pattern, as Algeria has faced persistent wildfire threats, including a deadly blaze in 2022 that killed at least 37 people.