Algerian coastguards fatally shot two tourists who were on holiday in neighboring Morocco on Tuesday, reportedly because their jet skis crossed the maritime border between the two countries.

The victims were identified as Bilal Kissi, a resident of France, his older brother Mohamed, their Moroccan cousin Abdelali Mechouar, and their friend Smail Snabe. They had gone jet skiing from the popular beach resort of Saidia.

Mohamed Kissi, the only survivor, explained that they were not attempting to flee but were trying to communicate with the Algerian coastguards when the shooting began. Five bullets struck his brother and their friend, while another friend's jet ski was hit by a bullet.

Moroccan media reported that Snabe, a French-Moroccan, was arrested by the Algerian coastguard and appeared before a prosecutor on Wednesday.

As of Friday, Mechouar's body remained in Algeria, and the prosecutor's office had initiated an investigation into the incident.

This incident has occurred amid increased tensions between Algeria and Morocco over the disputed Western Sahara territory. The border between the two neighboring countries has been closed since 1994, and diplomatic ties were severed by Algiers in 2021.