UK Warns Citizens in Morocco to Stay Clear of Algeria Waters

Rabat – The UK’s Foreign Office has warned British citizens traveling to Morocco to stay clear of Algerian waters over safety concerns. The warning comes in the wake of a recent incident involving Moroccan-French tourists who were shot dead by Algerian coast guards after straying into Algerian waters.

“If you are in a boat or hiring a jet ski, make sure you know where the maritime border is and remain clearly within Moroccan territorial waters. Check you have enough fuel to be able to return to shore,” The Foreign Office said in its travel advice for Morocco.

The office noted that “the land border between Algeria and Morocco is closed,” calling on British tourists to “not attempt to cross it” and “be aware that the border extends into the sea.”

The British Foreign Office further noted that its advisory follows an incident in August 2023 when two tourists vacationing in Morocco strayed into Algerian waters on their jet skis and were tragically shot dead.

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The tragic incident took place last week when a group of Moroccan tourists set off from the Saidia beach in Morocco on their jet skis.

The group unintentionally crossed into Algerian waters near the Ben Mhidi Port after they lost their way back. They were met with gunfire from Algerian coast guards, resulting in the deaths of two Moroccan nationals.

This incident has raised concerns about the safety of tourists in the region as well as ignited widespread outrage over Algerian authorities’ decision to open fire at unarmed civilians.

Algeria’s Ministry of Defense issued a statement on Sunday to address the controversy, claiming that its coast guards opened fire at the Moroccan tourists only after they defied their order to stop “several times” and attempted to flee the scene “by carrying out dangerous maneuvers.”

Moroccan authorities launched on August 29 an investigation into the murder of the two Moroccan nationals.

Meanwhile, the families of the victims have announced their intention to file a complaint in France either on Monday or Tuesday, lawyer Hakim Chergui told AFP.

He noted that the legal action will encompass charges of “aggravated murder, attempted aggravated murder, ship hijacking, and failure to assist a person in distress.”