A faulty air conditioner sparked a deadly fire at a children’s orphanage in the Algerian capital of Algiers.
The relentless summer heatwave forced the unit to run continuously until an electrical failure ignited the devastating early morning inferno.
Eleven people perished in the smoke, including several vulnerable children and a dedicated carer who watched over them overnight.
Rescuers battling the ferocious flames for three hours safely pulled five children with reduced mobility from the blackened facility.
Sixteen ambulances rushed nineteen injured survivors to local hospitals to treat severe burns, smoke inhalation, and profound psychological shock.
A heavy shroud of grief and national outrage quickly enveloped the country following the tragic loss of these innocent lives.
President Abdelmajid Tebboune expressed his profound sorrow, stating his heart was resigned to the difficult will of God.
Opposition figures and grieving citizens demanded transparent accountability and a thorough nationwide audit of public institution safety standards.
Critics strongly questioned the noticeable absence of local officials during the chaotic initial hours of the rescue operation.
Pro-government media outlets also insisted the nation must uncover the absolute truth regarding potential negligence without any complacency.
Firefighters across northern Algeria continue to battle intense wildfires as the blistering summer heat wave grips the region.