Algeria's peak holiday season marred by over 170 drowning deaths

More than 170 people have died from drowning in Algeria since early July, the country's civil defense ministry said on Sunday, as Algerians try to find relief in cool waters following a punishing heatwave.

Over a hundred drowned at sea, while 70 other Algerians died after swimming in reservoirs. The majority of the drownings took place in areas where no lifeguards were present.

The death toll is the highest in years and Algeria's government has dispatched lifeguards to resorts in an attempt to prevent further drownings.

At present, Algeria is experiencing a rare heatwave, bringing an unexpectedly high number of foreign tourists to the country.