At least 11 people have died after a fire broke out at a foster care facility in Algiers, the capital of Algeria, emergency authorities have confirmed.
Algeria’s Civil Protection Department said the blaze erupted in the early hours of Thursday, prompting firefighters to respond at about 03:30 local time (04:30 GMT).
Emergency responders were still battling the flames more than three hours later when officials released an update on the incident.
According to the authorities, 19 other people sustained injuries in the fire.
The Civil Protection Department did not disclose the ages or identities of those who were killed or injured.
To contain the blaze, emergency services deployed 10 fire engines and 16 ambulances to the scene.
The incident comes as Algeria continues to battle an intense heatwave that has affected several parts of the country. According to AFP, nearly 1,000 fires have been recorded across Algeria within the past week.
Algerian state media reported that Prime Minister Sifi Ghrieb visited two hospitals in Algiers where victims injured in the fire were receiving treatment.
The report included a photograph showing the prime minister standing beside a child receiving medical care.
Authorities also confirmed that five people living with special needs at the facility were safely evacuated.
The Civil Protection Department said they were “taken into care and transported to a safe location.”
An investigation into the cause of the fire is expected to begin after emergency operations are completed.
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