Overview
- The fire broke out in the early hours of Thursday, July 16, 2026, at the Fundación Childhood orphanage in Mohammadia on the outskirts of Algiers and produced a provisional toll of 11 dead, including several children, and 19 injured.
- Firefighters and police worked for hours to control the blaze and evacuate residents, and witnesses said crews used a mechanical saw to cut a metal grille to reach the building.
- Authorities reported that some bodies were completely charred and that DNA tests will be required to confirm identities, so the official toll and victim details remain provisional.
- The prime minister visited wounded patients in Algiers hospitals and the president, who was on an official trip to Germany, issued condolences as emergency teams continue medical care for burn, respiratory and anxiety cases.
- Officials noted the blaze occurred during an intense heat wave that has produced about 1,000 fires nationwide in the past week, a broader strain on emergency services that is now part of the investigation and response planning.