11 children died in a horrific fire at an orphanage in Algeria, according to local authorities, as reported by British network Sky News.

The disaster resulted in this number of victims among the children residing at the facility, in an incident that casts a heavy shadow on the reality of safety in social care homes in the country.

Questions about safety standards: The fire exposed the fragility of the protection system in social institutions, as the incident sparked a wide wave of questions about the extent to which care homes comply with fire safety and prevention standards, and whether these facilities are equipped with the necessary systems to protect their child residents.

The Algerian authorities have not yet disclosed additional details regarding the circumstances of the fire or the entity responsible for managing the home, and no official statement has been issued clarifying the measures taken in the aftermath of the disaster.

Victims from the most vulnerable groups: The tragedy is compounded by the fact that the victims are orphaned children who lack a family embrace and rely entirely on government institutions to provide them with protection and care. Such disasters are a driver for a comprehensive review of the social care system and emergency protocols in similar institutions.