Manama: An 11-year-old student has committed suicide in Algeria, plunging the North African country into deep shock.

Fourth-grade student Wael was found hanging in a bedroom in their house, a few minutes after arriving from afternoon classes at the local school, neighbours told Arabic daily Al Cherouk.

Neighbours, alerted by the mother, took him to hospital, but where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The school suspended classes to mourn, according to newspaper reports. Condolences poured in for Wael's family, while Algerians called for an investigation into the incident.