At least 11 people, including children, lost their lives and 19 others were injured in a pre-dawn fire that erupted in a dormitory of a state-run orphanage located in Mohammadia, an eastern district of Algiers, Algeria's capital, authorities confirmed Thursday. RT reported that the Algerian Civil Protection agency provided the details of the incident on their Facebook page.
The fire broke out before sunrise in the child care facility’s dormitory, resulting in severe injuries for many residents. Among the injured, 10 suffered various degrees of burns, two had respiratory issues, and seven were treated for psychological trauma. The Civil Protection team also evacuated five children with special needs to safety while firefighters continued battling the blaze.
Prime Minister Sifi Ghrieb, representing President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, visited those receiving medical treatment at Zeralda Hospital and Mustapha Pacha University Hospital in Algiers. He extended condolences to the families of the victims and affirmed the government’s full support for the affected individuals. Authorities have been directed to ensure comprehensive medical and psychological assistance for the injured and to provide aid to the bereaved families.
The origin of the fire remains under investigation. This tragic event adds to Algeria’s history of deadly fires in institutions housing vulnerable populations. Notably, in September 2019, a hospital maternity ward fire in El Oued claimed the lives of eight infants while emergency services managed to rescue dozens of babies, women, and hospital staff.
Algeria is currently also contending with numerous wildfires across several provinces. According to the Civil Protection service’s update on Thursday, 115 fires affecting forests, agricultural lands, scrublands, and palm groves were reported within the past 24 hours. Of these, 89 have been extinguished, 14 remain under watch after suppression, and 14 continue to burn. Firefighting aircraft, specialized units, and regional detachments are actively engaged in controlling the blazes. Fortunately, no casualties were reported in the wildfire incidents so far.
Why this matters
Fires in facilities caring for vulnerable populations highlight ongoing safety and emergency response challenges in Algeria. Coupled with the country's recurrent wildfire crises fueled by extreme heat and dry conditions, these incidents underscore the broader impacts of climate change on public safety. The World Bank has flagged forest fires as an escalating risk, emphasizing the urgent need for enhanced prevention and response strategies.
This tragic fire at the orphanage serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by children in institutional care and the critical importance of government support and effective emergency management in such situations.
