At least 12 people have died and 54 others were injured in wildfires across northeastern Algeria, authorities said on Wednesday. Families were evacuated from the worst-hit areas as fires spread during an intense heatwave affecting Algeria and neighbouring Tunisia.

Interior Minister Said Sayoud said five deaths were recorded in Jijel prefecture, four in Bejaia and three in Tizi Ouzou. He said 54 burn patients were admitted to hospital, including six in critical condition.

Civil protection teams recorded 154 fire incidents nationwide on Wednesday, with 36 reported in Bejaia province. Eighteen of the Bejaia fires had been brought under control. Firefighters contained blazes in Skikda, El Tarf, Bouira, Tizi Ouzou and Tebessa provinces, while operations were continuing in Bejaia.