Arson Suspected as Wildfires Rage Across Algeria, 42 People Dead

A civil protection rescue worker walks near smoke rising from a forest fire in the mountainous Tizi Ouzou province, east of Algiers, Algeria on Aug. 10, 2021. Abdelaziz Boumzar/Reuters

Dozens of wildfires have spread in Algeria and killed at least 42 people, including 25 military men deployed to help put out the blaze, authorities confirmed on Tuesday.

A government official in the North African country said arson is suspected for the blazes and an investigation will be launched to identify those behind it. He didn’t provide more details on the allegations.