25 soldiers die in forest fires in Algeria

At least 25 soldiers have been killed fighting forest fires in Kabylia, in northern Algeria, in the past 24 hours. President Abdelmadjid Tebboune reports this. 13 civilians were also killed in the blaze.

Earlier, the Ministry of Defense had already reported 18 deaths. “The ministry regrets the loss of 18 soldiers. Thirteen others have burned. Their interventions saved the lives of 110 civilians,” it said.

Every year, the North African country is ravaged by forest fires, which are usually started. In early July, three people were arrested who are believed to be responsible for 1,500 hectares of forest that went up in flames in the northeast of the country.