Fire at orphanage in Algeria kills 11 people, including children

A devastating fire swept through a residential care facility in Mohammadia, located east of Algiers, in the early morning hours of Thursday, resulting in significant loss of life and injuries. The Childhood Relief Institution, a state-operated centre providing shelter, medical care, and social support to orphans, abandoned children, and minors with special needs, caught fire at approximately 3:30 a.m. local time. Emergency responders confirmed 11 fatalities and 19 injuries. Medical personnel treated ten individuals for burns of varying degrees and two others for severe respiratory complications from smoke exposure. Seven additional residents required treatment for acute psychological trauma. Rescue teams successfully evacuated five residents with special needs to safety. Video footage captured dozens of residents gathered at the scene while emergency personnel worked through heavy smoke to contain the blaze and conduct evacuations. President Abdelmadjid Tebboune expressed condolences via social media, acknowledging the deaths of children and injuries sustained. Prime Minister Sifi Ghrieb visited Mustapha Pacha University Hospital to assess the condition of injured survivors and oversee their medical care. Firefighting and search operations concluded, with security and judicial authorities initiating an investigation to establish the fire's cause.