Wildfires are raging in the North African nation of Algeria amid scorching weather, killing at least 34 people and injuring 26 others.

The fires broke out across Algeria, mainly in the Mediterranean Sea coast areas in the country's north.

The interior ministry said Monday that the 34 victims included 10 soldiers. It also said that at least 26 people were injured and some 1,500 people were evacuated.

The defense ministry said the dead soldiers were trapped in the wildfires while they were evacuating, as the flames and smoke spread rapidly.

A major heatwave is sweeping across the Mediterranean nations.

In Tunisia neighboring Algeria, temperatures of 49 degrees Celsius have been recorded and mountain fires have broken out in the country's west.

Wildfires also broke out on the Greek island of Rhodes, forcing many tourists to evacuate.

nhk