Hundreds dead in Algeria floods Water crashed through the streets of Algiers

The Algerian Government says the country has suffered a national catastrophe, after being hit by violent storms which have killed about 300 people in and around the capital, Algiers.

Strong winds and heavy rain have been lashing northern Algeria during the weekend, flooding roads, cutting power and causing buildings to collapse.

Torrential rains began drenching Algiers on Friday, causing water to rush through its streets and buildings to crumble in Bab El Oued, one of the city's poorer neighbourhoods.

Throughout the city, people could be seen wading waist-high in water, trying to get to safety. Many ground-floor apartments have been engulfed.

At least 250 people have been injured, the nation's Civil Protection Authority said. A damage estimate was not immediately available.

The Interior Minister, Yazid Zerhouni, said the number of victims was bound to rise as casualty figures came in from other parts of the country.

Power cut

Utility provider Sonelgaz is said to have cut power to a number of neighbourhoods to reduce the risk of electrocution after electric cables were torn down by the wind.

Five people were reportedly killed in the Tipaza area, 60 kilometres (40 miles) west of Algiers and in the western city of Oran.

The victims were said to include four people who died in traffic accidents and a young girl who was swept away by flood waters in western Oran.

The deluge brought an end to several weeks of drought in the region.

-- Anonymous, November 10, 2001