Wildfires kill 34 in Algeria due to heatwave

Wildfires in Algeria killed 34 people on Monday, including ten soldiers, according to Reuters, citing the interior ministry.

The wildfires are a result of the ongoing heatwave which has been taking place across north Africa and southern Europe.

Around 8,000 firefighters were battling the fires and trying to bring it under control, authorities said.

According to the ministry the authorities are continuing the firefighting operations in the Boumerdes, Bouira, Tizi Ouzou, Jijel, Bejaia and Skikda regions.

Up until this point around 1,500 people were evacuated. The authorities also launched an investigation to determine the causes of the fires.

A major heatwave has hit North Africa, where temperatures reached 49 Celsius (120 Fahrenheit) in some cities in Tunisia.