26 dead in Algeria forest fires

• Northern Algeria forest fires have killed 26 and wounded scores.
• Interior Minister Kamel Beldjoud claimed 24 killed in El Tarf, bordering Tunisia, and a mother and daughter in Setif.
• Wednesday evening, firefighter helicopters battled numerous blazes.

Northern Algeria forest fires have killed 26 and wounded scores. Interior Minister Kamel Beldjoud claimed 24 killed in El Tarf, bordering Tunisia, and a mother and daughter in Setif.

Wednesday evening, firefighter helicopters battled numerous blazes. According to reports, 350 people have been evacuated. El Tarf has 16 active fires, according to civil protection.

The identities of the 58-year-old mother and 36-year-old daughter who perished in Setif have not been disclosed, but authorities say flames reached dozens of houses and communities.

Every year, forest fires in northern Algeria kill 90 people and destroy about 100,000 hectares of forest.

Mr. Beldjoud accused arson for a rash of fires in Algeria’s Kabyle area in August, saying “only criminal hands” could explain “the simultaneous emergence of roughly 50 fires across numerous communities.”

This summer’s flames have killed 30 Algerians. In Europe, France, Greece, Portugal, Spain, and Italy have all been devastated by wildfires this summer. Last week, 1,000 firefighters fought a “monster” blaze in Bordeaux.

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