President Abdelmadjid Tebboune says Algeria will bring back the death penalty for people convicted of setting forest fires on purpose.
The announcement came after more than 100 wildfires broke out across northern Algeria in recent days. At least 12 people have died. Dozens were injured and thousands were forced from their homes as the blazes tore through large areas of the northeast.
Speaking on Saturday, Tebboune said he does not rule out foul play and ordered a full investigation into the cause and scale of the fires. On Sunday he gave the justice ministry until 15 September to draft amendments to the criminal code that would make arson in forested areas a capital offense.
Capital punishment is still in Algeria’s penal code for some crimes, but the country has not carried out an execution since 1993. Right now, intentionally starting a forest fire can lead to 30 years in prison, or life in certain cases.
Firefighting teams were still working Sunday afternoon. The Algerian Press Service reported that 18 of 19 fires that started in the previous 24 hours had been put out.
Tebboune also ordered compensation for affected families and fast repairs to homes and essential services. Authorities will assess the full damage and losses in the coming days.
The fires hit during an intense heatwave across North Africa. Algeria and Tunisia have been hit hardest. While forest fires are common in Algeria during summer, officials and experts say climate change is making them more frequent and more severe.
Three days of national mourning have been declared for the victims.
