A severe fire erupted at an orphanage and special needs children's care center in the Mohammedia district on the outskirts of Algiers, Algeria, causing at least 11 deaths and injuring 19 others. The Prime Minister led a ministerial delegation to visit the injured and ordered related agencies to promptly conduct a thorough investigation amid a nationwide heatwave.
Algerian Prime Minister Aymen Benabderrahmane brought a cabinet delegation—including the Ministers of Interior, Health, Justice, and Social Development and Human Security—to the site to monitor the situation and closely assess the medical care being provided.
The Prime Minister also conveyed condolences from the President of the Republic directly to the families of those who lost their lives in this tragedy.
The Algerian Prime Minister stated, “On behalf of the President, I express my deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and pray to Allah to grant their souls eternal peace. While our delegation visited the National Ophthalmic and Burn Surgery Hospital of Serirda and the University Hospital of Mustapha Pacha, we issued all necessary orders to ensure that every injured person receives the best possible care.”
The Algerian Civil Protection Department reported receiving the fire alarm at 03:32 local time on 16 July. They dispatched six fire trucks, six ambulances, aerial lift vehicles, and rescue teams to the steep terrain. Additionally, they requested support from the National Civil Protection Training and Relief Unit to control the situation.
The toll from the incident includes 11 fatalities and 19 injured, categorized as 10 with severe burns of varying degrees, 2 suffering smoke inhalation and breathing difficulties, and 7 experiencing acute psychological trauma or shock.
Rescue teams also narrowly evacuated five disabled and special needs individuals from the building to a safe location, while search efforts for any remaining victims trapped under debris continue.
Legally, the Supreme Prosecutor's Office at the Court of Appeal has ordered an urgent in-depth investigation to determine the true cause of this national tragedy and to examine whether any criminal acts were involved.
Although authorities have yet to officially conclude the cause of the fire, reports indicate that Algeria is currently experiencing extreme heat and a severe heatwave. According to Algerian news agency reports citing the Civil Protection Department, since 8 July, officials have been controlling and extinguishing 913 wildfires and other fires nationwide. The dry and hot weather conditions may have contributed to the ease and severity of the fire.