A number of videos documenting horrific scenes of fires that swept through forest areas in Algeria and Tunisia circulated on social media, causing damage to lives and property.

In its latest toll, the Algerian Interior Ministry announced that 34 people were killed and 26 others were injured in a series of fires in the eastern and northern regions of the country, coinciding with a severe heat wave sweeping the region.

Algeria's interior ministry reported 97 fires in 16 provinces, the largest of which were in the provinces of Bejaia, Jijel and Bouira east and south of the capital.

The Algerian Interior Ministry added that the high temperatures and the strength of the winds contributed to the expansion of the fires, and that the firefighting efforts allowed the control of a number of them.

Panic and panic

A video documenting the outbreak of fires and the borrowing of fires in populated areas in the area of Al-Qal in the province of Skikda, and attempts to evacuate residents stranded in the area went viral.

The video is heard crying out for family members to be evacuated quickly, while the wind is shown to have intensified to increase the flames. The sky turned orange, while plumes of smoke covered the place.

Panic ensued among the local population, as the authorities demanded that they evacuate quickly.

Activists also broadcast another video showing people fleeing the flames of the flames, while screams and pleas are heard.

As trees and shops on the side of the road were engulfed in flames, people fled in panic and fear.

Effects of destruction

"Unbelievable," commented an activist who documented what happened in the Oued Das-Toja region of Algeria's Bejaia province, showing how vehicles were charred and destruction spread throughout the place.

Big loss

Activists also circulated a clip of a person affected by the fires, where the man confirms that he lost 16 members of his family, due to the fires.

The village of Eth Saleh #بجاية lost 16 people due to the fires, may God have mercy on them This master
lost both his brother's wife his
brother's wife
2 of his
nephews, his

cousin, his cousin

, pic.twitter.com/hDuNpLDDf0

— Béjaïa page Bejaia page (@bejaiapage) July 25, 2023

Fires and losses

In neighbouring Tunisia, civil protection teams on Monday evacuated more than 300 residents of the northwestern village of Maloula across the sea due to the expansion of forest fires.

Fire brigades, backed by military helicopters, have been struggling for about a week to put out fires that broke out in forests in Mount Meloula, and have already managed to control large parts of it.

AFP broadcast a video showing how forest fires raged and plumes of thick smoke rose as fire crews struggled to extinguish them.

📹 Authorities in #تونس evacuated hundreds of people in the northwestern region of Maloula Tabarka after fires surrounded homes#فرانس_برس pic.twitter.com/GGAKKzGm4h

— AFP Arabic (@AFPar) July 25, 2023

In a circulating video, residents of the border area fled their homes, carrying some of their belongings to escape the flames.

Crying and distress

While the flames were burning and devouring the green and dry, a Tunisian woman was documenting the scene, crying heartily and asking God for mercy, saying, "We were burned, bored and no longer present because of the fires." She then urged a family member to evacuate before the fire reached their home.

In a horrific scene, residents were fleeing as flames approached their areas of residence.

The Meloula region and the rest of the northwestern regions of Tunisia witness several fires annually due to high temperatures, and last Tuesday two fires broke out in the Maloula forest before controlling them and reducing their risks, while the areas affected by the fires have not yet been determined pending the completion of their inventory, especially as it is characterized by difficult terrain.

Between January and July this year, Tunisia recorded 78 fires, including 56 at the forest level, compared to 156 during the same period last year, Director General of Forests Naoufel Ben Haha confirmed during a press conference last Friday.