Algerian Coast Guard shoots French jet skiers

Relatives carry the body of Bilal Qissi, who was shot dead by the Algerian Coast Guard, during his funeral in the city of Saidia in northeastern Morocco. Photo: AFP.

The Algerian Coast Guard has shot and killed two French holidaymakers who had flown a jet ski into the country's waters from Morocco.

The dead tourists were among a group of four French-Moroccan dual nationals who crossed the long-closed border near the popular Saidia beach resort, local media reported.

A third member of the party was wounded, arrested and brought before the prosecutor.

Mohamed Qissi, the only one of the four who returned to Morocco, said that the group got lost, but kept going until they ended up in Algeria.

The 1,250-mile border between North African neighbors has been closed for almost 30 years, and there is a longstanding dispute between the two countries over Western Sahara.

Mr Qissi said his brother Bilal Qissi was shot to death.

He said: «We knew we were in Algiers because a black Algerian boat approached us» and those on board «shot at us», he said.

“Thank God I didn’t get hurt, but they killed my brother and my friend,” he added.

He denied that the group tried to escape when they were discovered by the Coast Guard and said that his brother tried to talk to the authorities before he was shot.

“They arrested another friend of mine. Five bullets hit my brother and my friend. Another friend of mine was hit by a bullet.»

Mourners attend the funeral of Bilal Qissi, who was shot dead along with Abdelali Mershuer, after as I turned the wrong way to the beach resort of Saidia. Photo: AFP

The name of the other victim is Abdelali Mershuer, and the name of the arrested person is Smail Snabe.

Mr Qissi said that after the shooting he then tried to swim back to Saidia and was eventually detained by the Moroccan navy.

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Paris confirmed that only one of its citizens was killed , stating that another of his citizens was imprisoned as a result of «an incident involving several of our citizens.»

Bilal's cousin Qissi recorded a video calling for the return of his body.

He said: “These young people were not involved in drugs and did not steal anything. They have a good reputation, and they only came here for family holidays,” said a cousin from France, where they worked.

“One [of the victims] left two children, the other had a daughter,” — he said. added.

There was no immediate response from Algeria, but Moroccan prosecutors said they had filed a case.

There is no legal trade between neighbors, and the long desert border remains tightly closed. .

Algeria supports the Polisario Front, which is fighting for the independence of Western Sahara from Morocco.