ALGIERS, Algeria (AP) 鈥� A fire at an orphanage near the capital on Thursday killed 11 children and injured 19 others, authorities said.
Algeria鈥檚 Civil Protection agency said the fire broke out around 3:30 a.m. at the two-story childcare institution in Mohammedia, in the eastern suburbs of Algiers.
The ages of the victims have not been released by authorities, who did not report any adult fatalities or injuries. Authorities have not said what caused the fire.
Five children with reduced mobility were safely evacuated by rescue teams, while several of the injured were transported to a hospital specializing in burns, said Lt. Col. Nassim Bernaoui, head of communications for the Civil Protection department.
Yassin Ibrize, who lives nearby, said he heard the commotion when the fire broke out and rushed to try and save children trapped inside.
鈥淲e heard screams and voices coming from the burning orphanage, and then I saw that the flames had begun to engulf the place and the girls were inside. I ran out without a shirt on,” he said.
“I did everything I could to save as many people as possible. And thank God, I saved three girls.”
Covered in bandages, he said his shoulder, head and pelvis were injured.
His son also tried to help.
鈥淲hen the screams intensified, I was the first one out. I found an officer completely overwhelmed, and when I tried to go upstairs, there was too much smoke. I couldn鈥檛 get through,鈥� said Amir Ibrize, also visibly wounded.
Security officials guarded the entrance to the orphanage, beneath charred, empty window frames.
Algeria’s President Abdelmadjid Tebboune expressed his condolences to those impacted by the fire which happened on Algeria鈥檚 National Children鈥檚 Day.
鈥淚t is with a heart resigned to the will of Allah that I learned of the death of children and the injuries suffered by other children of Algeria following the fire that broke out in a childcare institution,鈥� said Tebboune, who is on an official visit to Berlin.
Algeria has been experiencing a that has sparked in recent days, according to the Civil Protection agency.
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