Death toll up to 65 in Algeria wildfires; nation to mourn

The death toll in fires ravaging mountain forests and villages in Algeria’s Berber region climbed on Wednesday to 65, including 28 soldiers

ALGIERS, Algeria -- The death toll in fires ravaging mountain forests and villages in Algeria’s Berber region climbed Wednesday to 65 people, including 28 soldiers, as the president declared a three-day mourning period to honor the lives lost. The Civil Protection authority announced the rising number of victims, up from 42 on Tuesday, including 25 soldiers. President Abdelmadjid Tebboune said his North African nation would enter a three-day period of mourning starting Thursday that would include suspending all government activity except for actions of solidarity. Dozens of fires began devouring forested mountainsides in the Berber region of Kabyle, east of Algiers, the capital, on Monday, destroying homes, olive tree orchards and animals that provide a livelihood for the region.