UPDATE 2 - 25 Algerian military personnel die in wildfires rescuing 100 people

ADDS PRESIDENT'S REMARKS

By Ibrahim El-Khazen

ALGIERS, Algeria (AA) - Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune said Tuesday that 25 military personnel died while rescuing more than 100 people from fires in the eastern part of the country.

Several Algerian provinces have for days witnessed an outbreak of massive fires that were exacerbated because of a severe heatwave and hot and strong southern winds.

"With great sadness and sorrow, I received the news of the martyrdom of 25 members of the People's National Army," Tebboune tweeted.

He emphasized that they were killed "after they succeeded in rescuing more than 100 citizens from the blazing fires, in the mountains of Bejaia and Tizi Ouzou."

He extended "condolences to all the families of the martyrs."

Earlier Tuesday, authorities announced that seven people died in fires that broke out in several regions, while Interior Minister Kamel Beljoud considered the fires "criminal sabotage."

The Algerian Civil Protection Department said at least seven people were killed and several injured as wildfires have spread to 36 locations across 18 provinces.

It was also reported that 19 fires started in Tizi Ouzou and the rest in central regions, mostly in the east.