Tebboune: Algeria pays nearly 12 billion DZD in wildfire compensation

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President Abdelmadjid Tebboune said Saturday that financial compensation paid to victims of the recent wildfires in several eastern and central provinces has approached 12 billion Algerian dinars.

Speaking during his regular meeting with representatives of the national press, broadcast on national television and radio, Tebboune said compensation for those affected by the fires had reached nearly 1,200 billion centimes, equivalent to around 12 billion dinars.

The president also reiterated that a number of the fires had been deliberately set, saying investigations had uncovered various methods allegedly used to ignite them, including remote ignition and the use of candles to start fires in different locations.

He described such acts as “purely criminal,” adding that the situation had reached what he called an “immoral extreme,” with mentally disturbed individuals allegedly being exploited to set fires.

“The right time will come for us to reveal everything,” Tebboune said, without providing further details on the ongoing investigations.

The president also praised Civil Protection personnel for their efforts in containing the fires and protecting residents and property. He recalled his decision to increase the salaries of Civil Protection officers in line with the nature and requirements of their duties.

“Everything I can offer them remains little compared to what they do,” Tebboune said.

He also paid tribute to those who lost their lives while confronting natural disasters in Algeria in recent years, particularly members of the People’s National Army who died during the devastating wildfires of summer 2021.

Tebboune recalled that 80 soldiers were killed during the 2021 fires, when the overall death toll reached 190 victims.

He also honored a police officer who died after rescuing members of a family trapped by flames in Jijel Province, describing the act as a heroic sacrifice.