Wave of Blood Donations Follows Deadly Orphanage Fire as Algeria Rallies Behind Victims
Hundreds of volunteers donated blood for children injured in the deadly fire at the Mohammadia childcare institution, as authorities continued emergency medical care, launched a judicial investigation into the cause of the blaze and maintained high-level oversight of the response led by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and Prime Minister Sifi Ghrieb.
A wave of public solidarity swept across Algeria on Friday as hundreds of citizens volunteered to donate blood for children injured in the devastating fire that struck the state-run childcare institution in Mohammadia, Algiers, underscoring a nationwide outpouring of support following one of the country’s deadliest institutional tragedies in recent years.
At the Hospital for Severe Burns in Zéralda, where several victims remain under specialist treatment, medical staff reported an unprecedented influx of voluntary blood donors.
Dr. Mohamed Bechari, the hospital’s chief general practitioner, described the response as exceptional.
“It is incredible. We recorded a record number of people who came to donate blood for the children injured in the fire at the childcare institution,” he said.
According to Dr. Bechari, the number of volunteers exceeded the hospital’s reception capacity.
“People came from everywhere to take part in this chain of solidarity. We were overwhelmed by the remarkable number of donors and were unable to accommodate everyone,” he added, noting that medical teams managed a continuous flow of volunteers throughout the day.
He said the spontaneous mobilisation reflected the values of solidarity and mutual assistance that characterise Algerian society during times of national hardship.
“The Algerian people are known for their noble spirit of solidarity. It is simply extraordinary,” he said.
The donations came as authorities continued to respond to Thursday’s fire, which claimed the lives of 11 people, including a staff member, and left 19 others injured after breaking out before dawn at the Establishment for Assisted Childhood in Mohammadia.
Upon returning from an official visit to Germany on Friday, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune travelled directly from the airport to the Hospital for Severe Burns in Zéralda to visit the injured children. During the visit, he received briefings from medical teams on their condition and instructed healthcare personnel to provide all necessary treatment and resources to ensure the best possible care for the victims.
Earlier, Prime Minister Sifi Ghrieb, acting on the President’s instructions, visited both the Zéralda burns hospital and Mustapha Pacha University Hospital to assess the medical response. He also conveyed President Tebboune’s condolences to the families of the victims on behalf of the Head of State and the government, while reaffirming that all necessary measures had been taken to guarantee comprehensive medical care for those injured.
The government has also announced a series of emergency measures aimed at strengthening safety standards across childcare institutions nationwide. These include the establishment of a national risk monitoring and management unit, enhanced fire-prevention protocols, increased staff training in cooperation with the Civil Protection services, and the deployment of a centralised digital monitoring system to oversee compliance with safety regulations.
Meanwhile, the General Directorate of National Security (DGSN) announced the preliminary findings of its investigation into the cause of the fire. According to forensic and technical experts, the blaze is believed to have originated from an electrical spark caused by an overheated air-conditioning unit installed in a first-floor room. Investigators said the appliance had been operating continuously amid exceptionally high temperatures. Authorities stressed that the judicial investigation remains ongoing to establish all the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
The nationwide blood donation campaign has become one of the most visible expressions of public support since the disaster, reflecting a broader mobilisation that has accompanied official rescue, medical and investigative efforts as Algeria continues to mourn the victims.
— 𝐄𝐍𝐃 —
Dzair Tube Media Group | Record and Standing
Dzair Tube is a leading Algerian digital journalism platform, delivering high-quality content in Arabic, French, and English. With a daily readership exceeding 500,000, it has established itself among the country’s most influential media organizations.
Recognized for editorial excellence and integrity, Dzair Tube was awarded the President of the Republic’s Prize for Professional Journalist in the Electronic Press category on 22 October 2022. The platform operates from state-of-the-art studios, producing diverse programming across news, sports, culture, entertainment, and religion.
Dzair Tube maintains a robust digital presence, with over 600,000 YouTube subscribers, six million followers across Facebook pages, and more than 70,000 Instagram followers. Its sports daily, Dzair Sport, enjoys over 50,000 daily downloads via its official website, cementing its leadership in multimedia journalism.
Further recognized with the Media Leadership Award by former Minister of Communication Mohamed Laâgab and celebrated at the Hilals of Television awards, Dzair Tube continues to set benchmarks in innovation, influence, and public engagement, serving as a key forum for civic discourse, critical analysis, and public affairs.
Official website: www.dzair-tube.dz | English: www.dzair-tube.dz/en
