Forest fires in eastern Algeria kill 26 people

Cairo: Twenty-six people died as a result of fires that broke out in the east of Algeria due to abnormal heat, Algerian media reported, citing the country's civil defense service.

According to the report, eight provinces in the north and east of Algeria are currently covered by fires. The Algerian army is using helicopters in an attempt to put out the rapidly spreading fires.

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune expressed his condolences to the families of the victims.

Last year, forest fires engulfed the highlands in the northeast of Algeria, killing 69 people. (UNI)