Algeria is currently observing three days of national mourning after a wave of wildfires swept through the country, claiming the lives of 12 people. In response to the disaster, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has signaled a shift in legal policy, proposing that those found guilty of arson should face the death penalty. This move comes as the nation grapples with the immediate aftermath of the blazes, which have left dozens injured and caused significant destruction.

Emergency services are still actively working to contain the situation, with officials reporting that 46 fires remain active across various regions. The human toll of the disaster is substantial, with 54 people currently receiving hospital treatment for burns. Among those hospitalized, six individuals are reported to be in critical condition. While the government has focused on the legislative response to the fires, the focus remains on stabilizing the affected areas and providing support to the victims and their families. The proposal to reinstate or strictly enforce capital punishment for arsonists marks a significant escalation in the government's approach to environmental crimes, framing the fires not merely as natural disasters but as potential criminal acts requiring the harshest possible legal consequences.