Algeria declares national mourning after deadly forest fires

Algeria has declared three days of national mourning following devastating forest fires that have swept through several provinces in the center and east of the country. The fires have resulted in multiple fatalities and injuries, with particularly heavy losses reported in the Jijel, Tizi Ouzou, and Béjaïa regions.

Authorities have launched investigations to determine the origins of the blazes, seeking to establish whether they were caused by natural factors, accidents, or criminal intent. This follows previous instances where individuals were arrested for allegedly starting fires premeditatedly. The Minister of the Interior, Saïd Sayoud, announced the investigations from Jijel, where rescue and firefighting operations are ongoing.

Amid the tragedy, a significant wave of citizen solidarity has emerged, with local populations organizing to provide food, water, and essential supplies to those affected. While the nation mourns, there have been reports of political tensions as some groups attempt to use the catastrophe for political purposes, contrasting with the widespread community mobilization observed on the ground.