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Cracks Ignored: How Warnings Went Unheeded in Algeria’s Landslide Tragedy

*A landslide occurred in the area of the city of Oran, north-western Algeria on 26 April, resulting in casualties and damage. Source: Watan*

Late on the night of April 26, 2025, a landslide struck the coastal city of Oran, Algeria, collapsing fragile tin homes in the historic Sidi El Houari district. The disaster claimed four lives—reportedly a mother and her three children—and left 13 others injured. The landslide, triggered by ground movement above one of the densely populated slopes, demolished five makeshift homes in an area already known for its vulnerable infrastructure. Civil Protection authorities swiftly mobilized 150 personnel, search dogs, ambulances, and trucks in an effort to rescue survivors from the debris.

Ignored Warnings and Eroded Trust

What adds to the heartbreak is the grim predictability of the tragedy. In the days leading up to the collapse, residents reported visible cracks and unstable terrain to local authorities—but their warnings were met with silence. Eyewitnesses said the collapse struck while many residents were distracted by the televised “El Clasico” football match, making the timing all the more devastating. Public outrage erupted in the aftermath, with grieving neighbors decrying long-standing negligence and lack of preventative action.

Fragility Beneath the Surface

Oran, Algeria’s second-largest city, is no stranger to structural vulnerability. With buildings dating back to the Ottoman and Spanish eras, many districts, including the Pine neighborhood, are layered with architectural fragility and systemic decay. Experts have repeatedly called for urgent structural evaluations and proactive measures. While government delegations have since visited the site and promised reforms, the landslide reveals a deeper issue: the human cost of ignoring geotechnical and structural warning signs in high-risk communities.

Below is a video footage of the aftermath of the devastating lethal landslide.