The United Arab Emirates has officially expressed its solidarity with Algeria following a series of destructive wildfires that struck the nation’s northeast region, resulting in multiple fatalities and injuries. In a formal statement, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) conveyed its sincere condolences and sympathy to the families of the victims, and to the government and people of Algeria, while extending wishes for a swift recovery to those injured in the disaster.
Current Situation and Emergency Response
The situation remains critical as Algerian authorities continue to combat 64 active wildfires across 10 provinces. According to the General Directorate of Civil Protection, emergency response teams successfully extinguished 110 of the 174 fires that broke out within a 24-hour period. Despite these ongoing efforts, the remaining blazes continue to pose a significant threat to the region.
Impacted Regions
- Jijel: 20 active fires, making it the most severely affected province.
- Skikda: 14 active fires.
- El Tarf: 10 active fires near the Tunisian border.
- Guelma: 6 active fires.
- Annaba: 5 active fires.
- Bejaia: 4 active fires.
Context of Recent Tragedies
The nation is currently grappling with a wave of disasters. Recent reports indicate that 12 people have been killed and dozens injured by the current wildfires. This follows a period of significant hardship in the country, including a tragic orphanage fire that claimed 11 lives, including children, and a separate incident where a bus plunged into a ravine, resulting in the deaths of at least 25 people. The report also notes that children among 11 dead in Algeria orphanage blaze.