Fire at Algiers orphanage kills at least 11, including children

A fire at an orphanage in Algiers' Mohammadia suburb killed at least 11 people, including several children, with 19 injured, authorities said Thursday. The blaze started before dawn on July 16, forcing firefighters to use chainsaws to remove metal bars from windows during rescue operations. Some victims were completely burned and require DNA testing for identification. Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune confirmed 'several children' were among the dead. The cause remains unknown. The tragedy occurred amid a heatwave affecting northern Algeria, which has sparked hundreds of fires across the region. Prime Minister Sifi Ghrieb visited survivors at medical facilities in the capital. Local resident Abdessalam Merrah reported hearing children scream and fire engines arrive around 3 a.m. Emergency services worked through the early morning hours, highlighting fire safety concerns in institutional facilities during extreme weather conditions.

SOURCE: https://www.channelstv.com/2026/07/16/orphanage-fire-kills-11-as-algeria-struggles-in-heatwave/