Search operations resumed on September 21, 2026, in Tunisia's Kasserine region to locate an Algerian border guard who went missing after being swept away by floodwaters. The guard was reportedly carried from Algerian territory into Tunisia due to heavy rainfall in the area. According to the regional agricultural development commission, search efforts are focused on finding the missing guard after the body of his colleague was discovered.
The body of the second border guard was found on Sunday in the Aïn Defla area of Haïdra, a local delegation in Kasserine. A local citizen discovered the body on their property near Oued El Serri. Initial findings suggest that the floodwaters likely carried both guards from Algeria into Tunisia. The search for the missing guard continues in the region.
A total of 24 forest agents from the Tala and Haïdra districts, along with units from the civil protection, National Guard, and national police, are participating in the search efforts. Algerian civil protection units are also involved in the operations as part of rapid intervention and rescue mechanisms. The search is supervised by the regional disaster response and relief commission in Kasserine.
The forest agents' involvement aims to enhance the search operations using their knowledge of the region's terrain and forest trails. This mobilization comes after significant rainfall was recorded on Sunday in several Algerian wilayas, including Tébessa, which borders Tunisia. The heavy rainfall caused a rise in water levels and substantial flows in several areas, potentially leading to the flash floods.
The search efforts are concentrated in areas where the floodwaters are suspected to have carried the missing guards. The Algerian border guard's disappearance has prompted a concerted effort between Tunisian and Algerian authorities to locate him. The missing guard's identity and further details have not been disclosed.
According to local reports, the recent heavy rainfall has caused disruptions in the region. The Algerian and Tunisian authorities are working together to respond to the situation and mitigate the effects of the floods. The situation remains under close monitoring by regional authorities.
The search operations are ongoing, with multiple agencies working together to locate the missing guard. The efforts are focused on covering the affected areas and utilizing available resources to ensure a thorough search. No further updates have been provided on the progress of the search or the condition of the missing guard.
Key points
- Search efforts are underway in Tunisia's Kasserine region to locate a missing Algerian border guard swept away by floodwaters.
- The body of the second border guard was found in the Aïn Defla area of Haïdra.
- The search operation involves multiple Tunisian and Algerian agencies, including forest agents, civil protection units, and law enforcement.
