Cold snap continues in Algeria, necessities badly needed

The unprecedented freezing weather hitting Algeria since Feb. 3 is continuing, with shortages in staple food and heating gas prevailing in affected areas. The cold snap, which has swept much of Europe and even North Africa, has killed dozens and caused major disruptions in Algeria. A communique from the National Gendarmerie said 38 roads have been blocked due to heavy and constant snowfall, leaving several villages in the northern mountainous areas isolated. In these areas, heating gas and staple food are running out, and there are many blackouts because of power failures, the communique said. 48 DIE IN COLD-RELATED ACCIDENTS Since the bad weather began, the death toll from the harsh weather in Algeria has reached 48. Among the victims, 30 died in road accidents and 14 from gas asphyxiation due to leaking, faulty heating systems, or the use of non-standard fireplaces, reports from the fire departments and the National Gendarmerie said. However, so far, no homeless people have been reported dead, except for two teenagers who froze to death in Chelata locality, upper Bejaia province, 250 km east of Algiers. The local APS news agency quoted a source from one fire department as saying the two young men were reported missing after a snow storm days ago. Some schools located in the northern part of the country have been closed after the meteorological department warned of more freezing weather.