Death toll from Algeria forest fires rises to 65

By Hossam al-Din Islam and Hassan Jebril

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ALGIERS, Algeria (AA) – Algeria’s death toll from wildfires that broke out east of the capital has risen to 65, including 28 soldiers, as the country declared a three-day national mourning.
Algerian state television said most of the deaths were reported in Tizi Ouzou province in north central Algeria.
According to the broadcaster, 12 hospitalized soldiers are in critical condition.
Meanwhile, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune declared three days of national mourning starting on Thursday, according to a statement by the Algerian Presidency.
Several Algerian provinces have for days witnessed massive fires that were exacerbated by a severe heatwave and hot and strong southern winds.

*Writing by Mahmoud Barakat