In Djelfa, some 300 kilometres (185 miles) south of the capital Algiers, three people died when a bus was stuck and submerged in flood waters.

The civil defence, who reported the deaths taking place over a 24-hour period, said a 13-year-old died from injuries he sustained after being struck by large hailstones.

A fifth person was swept away by floodwaters, and authorities say search efforts are ongoing for another individual still missing.

Heavy downpours continued Thursday in parts of both northern and southern Algeria, Africa's largest country.

The Algerian national meteorological office had warned of up to 90 millimetres of rainfall prior to the floodings.