Outdated Video Circulated in Relation to Algeria’s Recent Wildfires
The Claim
A video shows recent wildfires in Algeria.
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Emerging story
Following the recent wildfires in Béjaïa, Algeria, social media users widely circulated a video clip purporting to feature a huge fire that has broken out in the forest of the city of Béjaïa.
An X user shared the video along with the caption, "A huge fire has broken out in the forest of the city of Béjaïa, and has been spreading due to high winds." Pray for Algeria, May Allah protect everyone."
Misbar’s Analysis
Misbar investigated the viral video and found the claim to be misleading.
After conducting a thorough reverse image search, Misbar’s team found the footage making the rounds to be outdated.
Video of Wildfires Fires in Algeria Is Old
Contrary to the viral claim, the video does not show the recent fires in Béjaïa, Algeria. Rather, it showcases the fires that occurred in Algeria on July 25.
Moha Soussi, a user on the X platform, posted the original footage on July 25, claiming it to be of fires in Kabylia, Algeria, at the time.
Moreover, a TikTok user shared the same video on July 27, using hashtags related to Algeria.
Algeria Wildfires in July 2023
Wildfires, fueled by a scorching heatwave, claimed the lives of at least 34 people and triggered widespread evacuations in Algeria on July 24. The government's announcement revealed that more than 20 individuals sustained injuries as the fires swept through residential areas. Algeria experienced a total of 97 blazes across 16 provinces, exacerbated by powerful winds and temperatures soaring to 48 degrees Celsius (118 Fahrenheit) in certain regions.
The most extensive and deadliest fires impacted areas in Béjaïa and Jijel, located to the east of Algiers, as well as Bouira, southeast of the capital.
Driven by strong winds, the fires also spread into neighboring Tunisia, prompting the closure of two border crossings.
Algeria’s Recent Wildfires
As of September 15, emergency teams are actively extinguishing multiple wildfires that erupted in the northeastern provinces of Béjaïa and Tizi-Ouzou in Algeria. Two significant fires are raging near El Mehoui and Ach El-Baz in Béjaïa Province, while a third has been reported in Ibdassen, Tizi-Ouzou Province.
As a precautionary measure, authorities have carried out evacuations in several affected neighborhoods. Fortunately, there have been no reports of casualties or property damage so far. However, responders cautioned that the fires spread rapidly due to strong winds.
The General Directorate of Civil Protection has provided the latest updates, indicating, "Since last night, our teams have been deployed to combat multiple forest, jungle, and brush fires. They have successfully extinguished 41 out of 59 fires across 11 provinces, with the breakdown as follows: Béjaïa (28 fires), Tizi-Ouzou (10 fires), and Boumerdes (10 fires)."
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