The bus left the road near the coastal town of Boumerdes, east of the capital Algiers, for unknown reasons, according to the civil defence on Friday, TRT World reported.
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At least 39 people were injured in the crash, including two in critical condition, Health Minister Mohamed Seddik Ait Messaoudene said, warning that the death toll could rise.
The civil defence said its teams responded to the accident around 9:40 am local time to assist the victims of the deadliest accident in Algeria in recent years.
The civil defence posted photos on social media showing the bus lying on its side.
Ryad Ferkioui, who happened to be passing by, said he believed a dangerous turn in the road had been a factor in the crash.
Another witness said he had tried to help the victims by carrying several out of the ravine before the civil defence arrived.
“I found some people dead and others still alive. Some had their hands cut off, among other injuries,” Bilal Bensalem told AFP.
Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune expressed “immense sorrow” and declared three days of mourning.
He also pledged that “justice will strike with an iron fist, without the slightest leniency” once the investigation into the crash was completed.
The Turkish foreign ministry has expressed its deep sorrow over the loss of lives and extends condolences to the families of the deceased and to the Algerian people.
In August last year, a bus plunged into a ravine near Algiers, killing 18 people.
In December, 14 people died when their bus overturned in the southern region of Bechar.
Human factors, including speeding and inattention, are the main cause of crashes in the country, according to Algerian road safety authorities.
In 2025, 3,838 people died, and more than 37,000 were injured in traffic accidents, they said.
