Fire kills 18 migrants at Algeria camp

File picture: Independent Media

File picture: Independent Media

Published Nov 24, 2015

Share

Algiers - A fire broke out on Tuesday at a camp for African migrants in Algeria, killing 18 people and injuring another 43, emergency services said.

The blaze began before dawn at the camp housing about 600 migrants in Ouargla, 800 kilometres south-east of Algiers.

The cause and the victims' nationalities were not immediately known.

“The fire broke out at 3.00am (02.00 GMT), killing 18 people and wounding 43,” Colonel Farouk Achour said by telephone.

The emergency services rushed to the scene to extinguish the fire, which is suspected to have been caused by the migrants' efforts to keep warm following a cold snap in recent days.

The authorities have opened an investigation.

Since Libya descended into chaos in its 2011 uprising, Algeria has become a top North African destination for sub-Saharans seeking a better life.

AFP

* Use IOL’s Facebook and Twitter pages to comment on our stories. See links below.

Related Topics: