Torrential rain and flooding killed between 19 and 28 people in western Algeria overnight on Monday, the Algerian press reported on Wednesday.
Worst hit was the region of Naama, about 700 kilometers (430 miles) south-east of Algiers, where 17 people died, according to the newspaper El-Khabar, which gave a combined death toll of 25.
The daily Es Sahafa said 19 people had been killed overall, while La Tribune put the toll at 28.
Others were reported dead in Sidi Bel Abbes, Relizane and El Bayadh. The floods also hit the neighboring districts of Tissemsilt, Tiaret and Mostaganem, but there were no victims.
All three newspapers said the waters caused considerable damage -- houses were destroyed, roads and bridges cut, livestock was carried off by floodwaters and crops were damaged.
The only official figures came from the Algerian press agency APS on Tuesday, which said seven people had died -- five in Naama and two in Sidi Bel Abbes.
Over the border in Morocco, heavy rains at the weekend in the eastern region of Taza left 123 families without shelter, while traffic on many of the country's main highways was interrupted, the official news agency said – ALGIERS (AFP)
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