Algeria says it is in mourning after wildfires swept through parts of the country, killing at least 12 people and injuring 54 others.

President Abdelmadjid Tebboune sent a condolence message on Wednesday to the families of those killed in the fires, which affected several provinces in central and eastern Algeria.

"My heart is heavy with pain and my soul filled with grief over the tragic loss of several of our citizens in the wildfires that broke out across central and eastern provinces of our beloved nation," the message published by the Algeria Press Service read.

The deaths occurred in the provinces of Jijel, Bejaia and Tizi Ouzou, Interior Minister Said Sayoud told reporters on Wednesday.

Lowered flags

"In the wake of this tragedy, I declare three days of national mourning... during which flags will be flown at half-staff nationwide, and all festivities and national sporting events will be cancelled," President Tebboune declared.

He added: "In the face of this immense tragedy, I can only bow in reverence to the souls of our fellow citizens whom we lost in this disaster, praying for God's mercy upon their souls, and seeking from God the reward of patience in bearing this ordeal."

Authorities evacuated dozens of families from some of the worst-hit areas as emergency teams battled the fires.

Sayoud said Civil Protection teams recorded 154 fire outbreaks across the country on Wednesday, including 36 in Bejaia province, where 18 had been brought under control.

Firefighting teams have also managed to contain blazes in the provinces of Skikda, El Tarf, Bouira, Tizi Ouzou and Tebessa, Sayoud said.

Operations were continuing in Bejaia, where 18 hotspots remained active, and in Jijel, where fires were burning across 12 municipalities.

The wildfires come as a severe heatwave sweeps across Algeria and neighbouring Tunisia.