The official death toll has risen to 74 after wildfires spread across northeastern Algeria.
The fires swept through Jijel province on Wednesday and Thursday, devastating several communities and destroying vast areas of forest and farmland. Rescue teams continue to search for missing people while assessing the extensive damage.
A mass funeral was held after Friday prayers for 39 of the victims in the town of El-Djemaa Beni Habibi, attended by Prime Minister Sifi Ghrieb and hundreds of residents.
Local authorities warned that the death toll could rise further as search and recovery operations continue.
A witness told local media that 21 members of a single family were among those killed in the heights of Beni Habibi. The witness said entire families had been wiped out, while some victims’ bodies were recovered in severely burned condition.
7August 30, 2026 452 1
