![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://uknews.evprotec.com/morocco-jet-ski-tourists-were-warned-before-shooting-algeria-says/&media=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/130968588_gettyimages-1637128929.jpg&description=Image source, AFP Image caption, Hundreds attended Bilal Kissi's funeral in Saidia on Thursday The Algerian authorities have said a group of tourists who strayed into their waters from Morocco on jet skis were warned before they were shot at. Two men were killed last week after an altercation with the Algerian coastguard. In its first comment on the incident, the Algerian defence ministry said on Sunday that the tourists defied an order to stop "several times". However, a survivor has disputed this - saying they were never cautioned. "I only heard gunshots directly that killed my brother Bilal," Mohamed Kissim told the Reuters news agency. The group had set off on jet skis from the Moroccan resort of Saidia on Tuesday when they were shot. In an earlier interview with French television network BFM, Mr Kissi described how they had got lost as night fell, and realised they had strayed into Algerian territory when they saw coastguard boats approach. "They charged into us," he said - adding that his brother, Bilal, signalled for them to turn back before the coastguard started shooting at them. Mr Kissi also said that they had been able to get out of the firing line because they had run out of fuel. Algeria's defence ministry insisted in Sunday's statement that it had issued an "audible warning" to the group but the suspects had "refused to comply and fled". It referenced "intense activity by drug smuggling gangs and organised crime" at its borders as the reason for firing the warning shots. Morocco and Algeria have a long history of tension, tied to Morocco's claims to the disputed Western Sahara. The border between them was closed in 1994, with Algiers severing ties two years ago. It accused Morocco of hostile acts - an allegation rejected by Rabat. Algerian officials also confirmed that the body of a man was found after last week's incident, and was taken for an autopsy in the city of Tlemcen, close to the countries' shared border. This is thought to be the second man){kind=link}
The Algerian authorities have said a group of tourists who strayed into their waters from Morocco on jet skis were warned before they were shot at.
Two men were killed last week after an altercation with the Algerian coastguard.
In its first comment on the incident, the Algerian defence ministry said on Sunday that the tourists defied an order to stop “several times”.
However, a survivor has disputed this – saying they were never cautioned.
“I only heard gunshots directly that killed my brother Bilal,” Mohamed Kissim told the Reuters news agency.