ALGIERS: At least 11 people, including children, were killed and 19 others injured after a fire broke out at an orphanage near Algiers, the capital of Algeria, according to media reports.
According to reports carried by a British news agency, the fire erupted suddenly at the orphanage located on the outskirts of Algiers and quickly spread throughout the facility.
The blaze engulfed large sections of the building before emergency responders arrived at the scene.
Authorities said that 11 people lost their lives, including several children residing at the orphanage, while 19 others sustained injuries in the incident.
Rescue teams, assisted by local residents, responded immediately after receiving reports of the fire. Firefighters worked to contain the blaze and evacuate those trapped inside the building.
According to the orphanage administration, 10 people suffered severe burn injuries and were transferred for medical treatment.
Officials also confirmed that five persons with disabilities were safely rescued from the facility during the emergency operation.
The cause of the fire has not yet been officially determined, and authorities have launched an investigation to establish how the blaze started and whether any safety violations contributed to the tragedy.
Emergency services continued search and safety operations after the fire was extinguished to ensure that no additional victims remained inside the building.
Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune expressed his condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the tragedy.
In a statement, the president conveyed his sympathy to the victims’ relatives and expressed solidarity with those injured in the incident.
The fire has prompted renewed attention to fire safety standards at residential care institutions, particularly facilities housing children and other vulnerable individuals.
Authorities are expected to review the findings of the investigation and determine whether further safety measures or legal action are necessary following the incident.
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