Algeria Orphanage Fire Kills 11 Children, Injures 19 Near Algiers

A devastating fire at a childcare institution in Mohammedia, a suburb of Algeria’s capital Algiers , has killed 11 children and injured 19 others , triggering widespread grief and calls for a probe into the cause of the tragedy.

The fire broke out at around 3:30 am on Thursday at the two-storey facility, according to Algeria’s Civil Protection agency . Emergency teams rushed to the site and evacuated children trapped inside the building as flames and smoke spread through the premises.

Authorities said five children with reduced mobility were safely rescued during the operation. Several injured children were shifted to hospitals, including a specialised burns facility, for medical treatment. No adult deaths or injuries were reported.

The victims’ ages have not been disclosed by officials. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, with authorities examining the circumstances that led to the blaze at the childcare centre.

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune expressed condolences to the families of the victims while on an official visit to Berlin. He described the incident as a painful tragedy and extended support to the injured children and their relatives.

The fire occurred on Algeria’s National Children’s Day , adding to the shock surrounding the incident. The tragedy also came as the country faced a severe heat wave, with the Civil Protection agency reporting nearly 1,000 fires across Algeria over the past week .

Officials have launched investigations into the incident, while emergency authorities continue monitoring the condition of the injured children. The disaster has renewed attention on fire safety standards and emergency preparedness at childcare facilities across the country.