Eleven individuals lost their lives and nineteen others were hurt in a blaze that engulfed an orphanage on the outskirts of Algeria's capital early Thursday, according to state media reports.

Illustrative: Firetrucks are pictured as firefighters attempt to extinguish a blaze at Chrea National Park, in the south of Algeria's Blida province, on August 27, 2025.

(photo credit: AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES)

ByREUTERS

JULY 16, 2026 12:00

The incident occurred at a facility in the Mohammadia area, located in the eastern suburbs of Algiers.

Among the injured, ten sustained burns of different degrees, and rescue personnel successfully moved five disabled residents to safety, as stated by the civil protection agency.

Firefighting efforts persist, though authorities have yet to name the victims, specify their ages, or determine the fire's origin.

The orphanage fire occurred during Algeria's current heatwave

Algeria has faced intense heat recently, leading civil protection teams to put out 913 fires across the country since July 8, as reported by state news agency APS on Wednesday, referencing the General Directorate of Civil Protection.