By DPA
Algiers : At least 11 people were killed when heavy rains struck parts of Algeria this week, the daily el-Watan reported Thursday.
The storms caused rivers to burst their banks. Bridges and houses collapsed and floodwaters blocked roads in parts of the country.
Most of the victims were found under collapsed walls and buildings. In the capital Algiers, some 30 buildings fell due to the storms, while many others were badly damaged.
In the western city of Oran, people took to the streets to protest the slow arrival of rescuers and aid to the stricken regions. Some critics said many buildings fell because the government did not enforce construction safety standards.
Prime Minister Abdelaziz Belkhadem said the army would be deployed to help clean up efforts.