15 killed and 26 injured in wildfires sweeping across Algeria, state media say #killed #injured #wildfires #sweeping #Algeria #state #media

ALGIERS, Algeria (AP) — Wildfires raged across Algeria killing 15 people and injuring 26 others, state media reported Monday.

APS news agency quoted the Interior Ministry as saying that at least 1,500 people were evacuated but did not provide details.

Wildfires, some spread by strong winds, moved across forests and agricultural areas in 16 regions causing 97 blazes in the north African country. The largest and deadliest fires ravaged parts of Bejaia and Jijel — in the Kabyle region east of the capital, Algiers — and Bouira, about 100 kilometers (60 miles) southeast of Algiers.

Migrants rest during a gathering in Sfax, Tunisia's eastern coast, Friday, July 7, 2023. Tensions spiked dangerously in a Tunisian port city this week after three migrants were detained in the death of a local man, and there were reports of retaliation against Black foreigners and accounts of mass expulsions and alleged assaults by security forces. (AP Photo)

Tunisian officials say at least 15 migrants have been found dead off the country’s coast and at its border with Algeria this week.

FILE - Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune gestures during a press conference in Algiers, Friday, Dec. 13, 2019. Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune is starting Tuesday June 14, 2023 a three-day state visit to Russia meant to strengthen relations of "friendship and cooperation" at the invitation of Vladimir Putin, according to a statement from Algerian authorities. (AP Photo/Fateh Guidoum, file)

Algerian authorities say President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has started a three-day state visit to Russia meant to strengthen relations of “friendship and cooperation” at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Manchester City's Riyad Mahrez greets fans at the end of the English FA Cup semi final soccer match between Manchester City and Sheffield United at Wembley stadium, in London, Saturday, April 22, 2023. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

Operations to tamp down the fires continued with some 7,500 firefighters and 350 trucks on the ground as well as air support.

Algeria is no stranger to summer wildfires.

At least 37 people were killed in August after wildfires blazed near Algeria’s northern border with Tunisia.

A year earlier, at least 42 people were killed in blazes — 25 of them were soldiers called in to help fight the fires in the mountainous Kabyle region that is dotted with villages.

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