Algeria has made its first official comment on the shooting dead of two jet skiers who strayed into Algerian waters from Morocco last Tuesday.
The defence ministry in Algiers said a group of jet skiers ignored warning shots from the security forces and refused to stop.
It accused them of illegally crossing into Algerian territorial waters at a time of increased maritime drug trafficking and organised crime.
The ministry said one body had been recovered.
Lawyers for the two victims – one a French-Moroccan dual national and the other holding French residency – say they will file a complaint in Paris.
The incident coincides with increased tension between Morocco and Algeria.
The border between the two countries has been closed for nearly 30 years.