Algiers is in the news after a boat sank off its coast, drowning at least 17 Somali migrants. It’s Algeria’s largest city, on the Med.
Somali migrants have been reported among those who have drowned off Algeria while attempting the journey to Europe. The victims include 12 men and five women. The Algerian authorities have confirmed the deaths but have not released full details. The route remains dangerous, with shipwrecks frequent along the western Mediterranean and Atlantic corridors. Somali migrants are increasingly undertaking these perilous journeys driven by insecurity, economic hardship, and drought at home. The story highlights ongoing risks faced by migrants seeking better opportunities in Europe, with authorities continuing to respond to maritime crossings. Today's date is Fri, 24 Apr 2026 00:52:42 +0100.
France and Algeria have set aside a diplomatic rift to intensify security and defence cooperation, with high-level visits resuming and talks on migration and drug trafficking cooperation. A French ambassador has returned to Algeria, and a senior envoy is set to attend commemorations of a colonial-era massacre, signaling a thaw in relations amid broader regional tensions.