Two suicide attacks struck Algeria’s Blida province on Monday, coinciding with the arrival of Pope Leo XIV on an official visit, prompting heightened security and leaving an unspecified number of casualties, according to media reports.
The blasts occurred as the pope began his visit to Algeria, in a development that triggered a major security response across the region.
Despite the attacks, Pope Leo XIV continued his scheduled programme in the capital Algiers, where he met with President Abdelmadjid Tebboune.
Authorities have opened an investigation into the incidents and deployed additional security forces, tightening measures around key locations, reports said.
Preliminary information indicated that the area surrounding a food industry company in Blida, located south of Algiers, was hit by a suicide blast shortly after an earlier explosion shook the same area under unclear circumstances.
No official figures on casualties or damage have been released so far, and there has been no immediate claim of responsibility.
The attacks come at a sensitive time, coinciding with the pope’s visit, while security forces remain on high alert across the region.
