A fire at an orphanage near Algeria's capital early Thursday killed 11 children and injured 19 others, authorities said, as the country continues to grapple with an intense heatwave and a surge in fires.

Fire Claims 11 Lives

According to Algeria's Civil Protection agency, the fire broke out at around 3:30 a.m. in a two-story childcare facility in Mohammedia, east of Algiers.

Authorities have not disclosed the ages of the victims or the cause of the fire. No adult deaths or injuries were reported.

Civil Protection spokesperson Lt. Col. Nassim Bernaoui said rescue teams evacuated five children with reduced mobility from the building, while several of the injured were transferred to a specialized burns hospital for treatment.

President Offers Condolences

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune expressed his condolences to the victims' families, noting that the tragedy occurred on Algeria's National Children's Day.

In a statement issued during his official visit to Berlin, Tebboune said he had learned of the children's deaths and the injuries suffered by others in the fire.

Heatwave Raises Fire Risk

The incident comes as Algeria experiences a severe heatwave that has contributed to nearly 1,000 fires across the country in recent days, according to the Civil Protection agency.