The number of people killed in the dozens of forest fires that hit east of the capital of Algeria particularly in the Berber region has risen to 65.
The Civil Protection authority in Algeria said among those who died in the fire are 28 soldiers.
Given the huge death toll of the fire, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has ordered three days of mourning starting Thursday that would include suspending all government activity except for actions of solidarity.
Earlier, arsonists were tagged as the ones responsible for the wildfires.
The Algerian government said they are now hunting down the ones responsible for the fires that hit the forest and homes in the area.
Interior Minister Kamel Beldjoud said the criminals who did this dastardly act will be punished.
“Only criminal hands can be behind the simultaneous outbreak of about 50 fires across several localities of the province,” Beldjoud said.
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