President Tebboune Visits Victims of Deadly Mohammadia Orphanage Fire Upon Return from Germany
President Abdelmadjid Tebboune travelled directly from Berlin to the Zéralda Burns Hospital on Friday to visit survivors of the fatal fire at the Mohammadia Child Care Institution, as Algeria continues its national response to the tragedy that claimed 11 lives and injured 19 others. The visit follows a series of condolence messages, emergency government measures and an ongoing investigation into the cause of the blaze.
BY Dr. Hana Saada
ALGIERS – President Abdelmadjid Tebboune visited survivors of the deadly fire at the Mohammadia Child Care Institution on Friday afternoon immediately after returning to Algeria from his official visit to Germany, underscoring the government’s continued mobilisation in response to one of the country’s deadliest institutional fires in recent years.
Upon landing from Berlin, the president travelled directly to the Zéralda Burns Hospital, where he met children and other victims injured in Thursday’s blaze and received detailed briefings from the medical teams overseeing their treatment.
According to the Presidency, Tebboune was informed by doctors and specialists about the condition of the injured patients and the medical care being provided following the fire that swept through the state-run child care institution in Mohammadia, Algiers.
The tragedy claimed 11 lives, including a 52-year-old caregiver, and left 19 people injured, prompting a nationwide response from Algeria’s political leadership and emergency services.
State response
Immediately after the incident, President Tebboune issued a message of condolence, describing the victims as “children of Algeria” and expressing his profound sorrow over the tragedy. He prayed for Almighty Allah’s mercy upon those who lost their lives and wished the injured a swift recovery.
Acting on the President’s instructions, Prime Minister Sifi Ghrieb visited both the Zéralda Burns Hospital and Mustapha Pacha University Hospital on Thursday to monitor the treatment of the injured and ensure that all necessary medical resources were mobilised.
The Prime Minister also conveyed President Tebboune’s condolences to the families of the victims before attending the funeral of those who died in the fire at Sidi Rzine Cemetery in Baraki, accompanied by several members of the government.
Emergency safety overhaul
In response to the disaster, Minister of National Solidarity, Family and Women’s Affairs Soraya Mouloudji announced an emergency review of safety procedures across child care institutions nationwide.
The government has ordered the immediate relocation of children from the Mohammadia facility, established a National Risk Monitoring and Management Unit, introduced plans for a centralised digital safety monitoring system and expanded fire prevention and emergency response training in cooperation with the Civil Protection Directorate.
The ministry said the measures are intended to strengthen prevention mechanisms and ensure that specialised care institutions continue to provide safe environments for vulnerable children.
Investigation continues
Meanwhile, the Directorate General of National Security (DGSN) announced preliminary findings indicating that the fire was likely triggered by an electrical spark from an air-conditioning unit installed in a first-floor room. Investigators believe the appliance had been operating continuously amid the recent heatwave, although authorities stressed that the judicial investigation remains ongoing to establish all the circumstances surrounding the incident.
International solidarity
The tragedy also prompted messages of sympathy from abroad.
During a joint press conference in Berlin with President Tebboune, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz offered his condolences to the Algerian people and government following news of the fire.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia likewise expressed its sincere condolences and solidarity with Algeria, extending its sympathy to the families of the victims and wishing those injured a speedy recovery.
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