Algeria.. 4 people died as a result of forest fires east of the capital, and the authorities do not rule out the hypothesis of the criminal act

Large fires broke out in the forests of Tizi Ouzou, east of Algiers, resulting in deaths and injuries, while the authorities are battling dozens of fires in other regions.

The official of the forests governorate in Tizi-Ouzou, Youssef Ould Mohamed, confirmed to Algerian radio yesterday evening, Monday, the death of 4 people and the injury of others, including a firefighter, as a result of the fires that broke out in the forests of the towns of Beni Yeni, Yakoran, Azazka and Avieja, pointing to the evacuation of some residents and the burning of a number of houses.

Ould Mohamed did not rule out the possibility that there was a criminal act behind the large and simultaneous fires that Tizi Ouzou had not previously witnessed, adding that investigations will determine the exact perpetrator.

put out fires

For its part, the Algerian Civil Protection announced that its teams are working to extinguish 31 forest fires.

She pointed out that the flames broke out in the forests of 14 states, most of them in the center and east of the country, including the capital, Tizi Ouzou, Setif, Bouira, Blida and Jijel.

Schools and hotels have opened their doors to a number of residents who were evacuated after the fire approached their homes.

More than a month ago, fires broke out in the forests of the state of Khenchela (northeast of Algeria), and the fire consumed more than a hectare.

And the Algerian government is heading to increase the penalty for involvement in burning forests to reach life imprisonment.