Moroccan tourists 'shot dead' after entering Algerian waters on jet ski

Two Moroccan tourists on jet skis have reportedly been shot dead after straying into Algerian waters.

They were among a group who lost their bearings off the Moroccan town of Saidia on Tuesday.

“We were low on fuel for the water scooters and were drifting. In the darkness, we found ourselves in Algerian waters,” Mohamed Kissi told Moroccan site Le360.

He said his brother Bilal, 29, and Abdelali Mechouer, 40, were killed after an Algerian government boat approached them and started firing.

He claimed they attacked despite seeing they were unarmed and his brother exchanging words with them.

Another man in their party was wounded and detained, said Mr Kissi, who said he swam away before being picked up by Moroccan authorities.

There is a long history of tensions between the two North African countries over issues such as the disputed Western Sahara region.

Their border has been closed since 1994 and diplomatic relations were cut in 2021.

Moroccan authorities said they couldn’t comment on the incident because the case is a judicial matter. Algerian authorities have also yet to respond.

Some of the group have dual Moroccan-French nationality, and France’s foreign ministry confirmed it had received word that one of its nationals had been killed and another detained.

It said it was in contact with the families and authorities in both Algeria and Morocco.

Mr Mechouer’s father, meanwhile, said he wanted his son’s body brought home.

“I appeal to Moroccan and Algerian authorities to reach an agreement to bring my son back to me to observe a proper funeral and burial for him,” he said.