By Sam Abuya
President Abdelmadjid Tebboune of Algeria has announced three days of mourning the victims of the wildfires that have ravaged villages and forests around the country’s capital, Algiers, claiming at least 69 people including 28 soldiers who were in the rescue mission.
The three days of national mourning officially started Thursday as the authorities said they suspect cases of arson in the widespread wildfires that are being fanned by strong winds.
At least 12 soldiers who were deployed to put off the wildfires and rescue people are among those who sustained serious burn injuries and are still in critical condition after huge fires broke out in the northern mountainous area of Algeria.
As more than 1,000 civil defence workers and rescuers battled the huge wildfires, the country recorded a heatwave of 40 degrees Celsius making the situation worse and even more difficult.
Several wildfires have ripped through the country’s forests in the northern region, an area that, according to authorities, is not common with wildfires.
“Only criminal hands can be behind the simultaneous outbreak of about 50 fires across several localities,” Algeria’s Interior Minister Kamel Beldjoud said. The minister added that several arrests have been made of those suspected to have started the fires.
Greece and Turkey wildfire
Not long ago before the wildfires started in Algeria, wildfires devastated Greece and Turkey killing dozens of people. The wildfires were coupled with severe heatwaves.
European Union atmosphere monitors had warned of Mediterranean becoming hotspots for wildfires. The wildfires in Greece and Turkey also ravaged through the countries’ forests.
Back in Algeria, desperate locals joined rescuers in trying to put off the fires using tree branches.
Several homes were reduced to ashes as residents escaped to hotels and hostels in nearby institutions. The area was covered by huge cloud of smoke making it difficult to the fire crew because of poor visibility.
The first wildfire in Algeria broke out on Monday and since that day the fire has been multiplying destroying both properties and lives.
The government has not given more details of those arrested in connection to starting the wildfires.
