wo males have been killed by Algerian forces after they strayed throughout Morocco’s maritime border with Algeria on jetskis, in accordance with experiences.
A 3rd man was detained by Algerian authorities, Moroccan media claimed.
The border has lengthy been closed due to deep tensions between the 2 North African neighbours, linked to the disputed territory of Western Sahara amongst different points.
Deadly run-ins on the maritime border are uncommon.
A French citizen was amongst these killed within the stand-off which reportedly occurred on Tuesday, and the detained man can also be French, the French international ministry mentioned.
Moroccan media experiences mentioned the lads concerned have been French-Moroccan twin residents.
The Paris prosecutor’s workplace has been knowledgeable concerning the incident, the French ministry mentioned, including that it's as much as judicial authorities to find out what occurred.
The French authorities is involved with the households of the French residents in addition to with Moroccan and Algerian authorities, it mentioned.
Mohamed Kissi advised Moroccan news web site 360.ma that his brother was killed within the incident.
He advised how he, his brother Bilal and two mates have been on vacation and driving private watercraft off the coast of the Moroccan city of Saaidia when evening started to fall.
“We were low on fuel for the water scooters and were drifting. In the darkness, we found ourselves in Algerian waters,” he advised 360.ma.
He mentioned a speedboat carrying armed forces with the phrase “Algeria“ on its side approached the water scooter his brother was riding and words were exchanged.
Mr Kissi said the Algerian forces then fired on the group, and his brother was killed along with their friend Abdelali Mechouer, according to 360.ma.
Their other friend was wounded and detained by Algerian forces, Mr Kissi said. He said he swam to escape and was rescued by Moroccan maritime police.
The website published a video of the funeral for Bilal Kissi on Thursday in the Moroccan border town of Bni Drar. It said Mr Mechouer’s family is seeking the repatriation of his body, which was recovered by Algerian forces.
Asked on Thursday about the confrontation, Moroccan government spokesperson Mustapha Baitas said that “these issues are within the jurisdiction of the judicial authority”.
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