Algerians Flee Wildfires in Country's Northeast

Civil Defense teams try to put out fires in Jijel last summer. (file photo/Civil Defense)
Civil Defense teams try to put out fires in Jijel last summer. (file photo/Civil Defense)
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Algerians Flee Wildfires in Country's Northeast

Civil Defense teams try to put out fires in Jijel last summer. (file photo/Civil Defense)
Civil Defense teams try to put out fires in Jijel last summer. (file photo/Civil Defense)

Algerian firefighters on Sunday were battling blazes in the northeastern Kabylie region as families were ordered to evacuate, local media and an AFP journalist said.

Residents were told to leave homes in the fire's path in Tizi Ouzou province, news site Ennahar Online reported quoting a forest official, though it was not immediately clear how many people were affected.

Numerous wildfires have broken out in Tizi Ouzou since Friday, though most of them have been brought under control or were expected to soon, said civil defence official Nassim Bernaoui.

"The situation is under control, but outbreaks of fire continue in hard-to-reach areas," he told AFP in the village of Ait Frah, south of Tizi Ouzou city.

The AFP journalist saw olive groves and fig orchards consumed by fires, as well as hen coops, beehives and some homes.

Authorities in Bejaia province, near Tizi Ouzou, ordered the evacuation of around 20 families from Mezouara village, which is located near a forest where blazes raged on Sunday.

Online videos showed a water bomber deployed to help contain the forest fire.

Wildfires are a common sight in summer in northern Algeria, increasingly exacerbated by drought and heatwaves scientists say are linked to climate change.

More than 30 people died in massive fires that ravaged Bejaia in July 2023, destroying thousands of acres of forests and agricultural lands as well as hundreds of homes.



UK's Princess Kate Visits Hospital Where She Had Cancer Treatment

 Catherine, Princess of Wales talks with Katherine Field as she visits The Royal Marsden Hospital on January 14, 2025 in London, Britain. Chris Jackson/Pool via REUTERS
Catherine, Princess of Wales talks with Katherine Field as she visits The Royal Marsden Hospital on January 14, 2025 in London, Britain. Chris Jackson/Pool via REUTERS
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UK's Princess Kate Visits Hospital Where She Had Cancer Treatment

 Catherine, Princess of Wales talks with Katherine Field as she visits The Royal Marsden Hospital on January 14, 2025 in London, Britain. Chris Jackson/Pool via REUTERS
Catherine, Princess of Wales talks with Katherine Field as she visits The Royal Marsden Hospital on January 14, 2025 in London, Britain. Chris Jackson/Pool via REUTERS

Kate, Britain's Princess of Wales, visited a London hospital on Tuesday where she underwent cancer treatment last year to personally thank medics there for their care and support, her office said.

Kate, 43, underwent a course of preventative chemotherapy after major abdominal surgery a year ago revealed the presence of cancer.

For the treatment, which concluded in September, Kate attended the Royal Marsden Hospital in central London and on Tuesday she paid an official visit there to mark her becoming joint patron of its specialist cancer unit along with her husband Prince William, Reuters reported.

On her visit she met patients and staff and spoke of her own treatment. A royal source said Kate had wanted to show her gratitude to the hospital staff and highlight its work.

"We are incredibly fortunate to receive Royal Patronage – it is inspiring for staff and patients and enables us to shine a light on the outstanding work our staff deliver every day for patients and their families," said Cally Palmer, Chief Executive of The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust.

Kate's illness meant she was absent from royal duties for most of last year, although she gave a number of health updates in highly personal video messages.