ELEVEN CHILDREN DIE IN ORPHANAGE FIRE IN ALGIERS

A fire at an orphanage in Mohammedia, an eastern suburb of Algiers, killed 11 children and injured 19 others early on Thursday morning. The blaze broke out at approximately 3.30am at the two-storey building. Rescue teams evacuated five children with reduced mobility from the facility. Several injured children were transported to a hospital specialising in burns treatment.

Authorities have not disclosed the ages of the child victims. No adult fatalities or injuries were reported in connection with the incident. The tragedy occurred on Algeria's National Children's Day. President Abdelmadjid Tebboune expressed his condolences following the fire.

The fire occurred amid a severe heatwave affecting Algeria. According to reports, the heatwave has caused nearly 1,000 fires across the country within the past week. The circumstances that triggered the orphanage fire remain unreported.