Algiers, Algeria — A harrowing fire at the Childhood Relief Institution in Mohammadia, east of Algiers, has resulted in the loss of 11 lives, including children, and injuries to 19 others, according to emergency services and local medireports.
The fire, which broke out at approximately 3:30am local time on Thursday, has raised immediate concerns about the safety of vulnerable populations in similar residential care centers across the country.
The Childhood Relief Institution, a state — run residential care center, provides shelter, medical care, and social support to orphans, abandoned minors, and children with special needs. Emergency services described the fire as “rapid and intense, “leading to the loss of several children and injuries to 19 others, including ten with varying degrees of burns and two suffering from severe respiratory distress due to smoke inhalation.
The Civil Protection agency, which responded to the incident, has not yet provided details about the victims or their ages, nor has it identified the possible cause of the fire.
The incident has sparked an outpouring of grief and anger among the local community and advocacy groups, who are calling for a thorough investigation into the incident.
The Algerian government has expressed its condolences to the families of the victims. Prime Minister Sifi Ghrieb visited the Mustapha Pacha University Hospital in Algiers to oversee the medical treatment of the injured, while President Abdelmadjid Tebboune offered his condolences on social media.
As the investigation into the fire continues, the country’s government and relevant authorities must take immediate steps to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future. Calls for a review of fire safety protocols in residential care centers across Algeria have intensified, emphasizing the critical need for improved safety standards and regular inspections.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: aljazeera
Source: Heba Habib and Reuters
