At least 26 people have been killed by forest fires in northeastern Algeria, the interior ministry has said.

Most of the victims came from the province of Al Taref, where 16 fires are still blazing, according to the authorities.

Reports suggest that hundreds of people have been evacuated from their homes in Al Taref and Setif as a precaution.

The latest fires come a year after dozens of people were killed by blazes in the Kabylie region, including many of the soldiers who had been mobilized to put out the flames.

Interior minister Kamel Beldjoud said that “Only criminal hands can be behind the simultaneous outbreak of about 50 fires across several localities.”

Large-scale wildfires have broken out this year across the region, which has seen scorching temperatures and low rainfall.