Saudi Arabia Extends Condolences to Algeria After Deadly Fire at Child Care Facility as National Mourning and Official Response Continue

Saudi Arabia Extends Condolences to Algeria After Deadly Fire at Child Care Facility as National Mourning and Official Response Continue

Riyadh expressed solidarity with Algeria following the fatal fire at the Mohammadia Child Care Institution in Algiers that claimed 11 lives and injured 19 others. The message follows condolences from President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and senior Algerian officials, while Prime Minister Sifi Ghrieb continues to oversee the government’s emergency response and support for victims’ families.

BY Dr. Hana Saada

ALGIERS – Saudi Arabia has extended its condolences to Algeria following the deadly fire that struck the Mohammadia Child Care Institution in Algiers, expressing solidarity with the Algerian government and people after the tragedy claimed the lives of children and left others injured.

In a statement, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs conveyed the Kingdom’s “sincere condolences and heartfelt sympathy” to the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria over the deaths and injuries resulting from the fire at the child care facility in the Algerian capital.

The ministry said Saudi Arabia stood in solidarity with Algeria “government and people” in the aftermath of the tragedy and wished those injured a speedy recovery.

The Saudi message adds to a growing number of international expressions of sympathy following the fire, which broke out in the early hours of Thursday at the Mohammadia Child Care Institution, according to Algerian authorities. Civil Protection services said they intervened at around 3:30 a.m. to contain the blaze. An initial official toll put the casualties at 11 fatalities and 19 injuries.

President Abdelmadjid Tebboune earlier expressed his condolences following the incident, describing the victims as “children of Algeria.” In a message issued after the tragedy, he prayed for Almighty Allah’s mercy upon those who lost their lives and wished a swift recovery for the injured, noting that the incident came one day after Algeria marked National Children’s Day.

During his official visit to Germany, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz also extended his condolences to President Tebboune and the Algerian people. Speaking at a joint press conference in Berlin, Merz expressed sorrow over the fire and offered his “most sincere condolences” to Algeria following the loss of life.

Prime Minister Sifi Ghrieb, acting on the instructions of President Tebboune, visited the Zéralda Burns Hospital and the Mustapha Pacha University Hospital to assess the condition of the injured and review the medical response. He said all necessary instructions had been issued to ensure comprehensive treatment and care for those affected.

On behalf of President Tebboune and the Algerian government, Ghrieb also conveyed condolences to the families of the victims, praying for God’s mercy upon the deceased and wishing those injured a full and speedy recovery.

Later on Thursday, the Prime Minister, accompanied by several cabinet ministers, attended the funeral of the victims at Sidi Rzine Cemetery in Baraki, Algiers, where the deceased children were laid to rest.

The delegation accompanying Ghrieb included the ministers of Interior, Justice, Health, and National Solidarity, underscoring the government’s mobilisation in response to one of the country’s deadliest recent institutional fires involving children.