Algerian President Abdel-Aziz Bouteflika has appealed to the world to extend relief aid for thousands of Algerians made homeless as a result of flooding.
Early reports from Algeria said that more than 300 people died, 294 were wounded and thousands of families were made homeless as a heavy rainstorm wiped out many provinces of the country Saturday.
According to the toll which is given by the Algerian’s civil defense services, nearly 4,000 families, including 1,500 in the capital, were made homeless.
The heaviest toll was reported in the capital, where 287 people died, many drowned while asleep or while driving their cars or taking the bus, said Kuwait’s official news agency (KUNA).
Many vehicles were washed away by the floods, many walls collapsed and trees were uprooted. Many of those who died were crushed when their homes were destroyed by torrential rain and very high winds or swept away by flash floods, officials said.
Interior Minister Yazid Zerhouni was quoted by AFP as saying that the rescue services were being hampered by difficulty in moving around because so many roads had been blocked by floods and falling debris.
Zerhouni said the country was suffering from a "catastrophe" and called for "international solidarity" to help it cope – Albawaba.com
