A 23-year old Tunisian petrol smuggler was shot dead on Sunday morning by Algerian border guards near the town of Ghardimaou, Shems FM reported.

The man, who was trying to smuggle petrol into Tunisia, died from his wounds shortly after arriving at a local hospital, the radio said.

A similar incident took place a few weeks ago, when another Tunisian petrol smuggler was killed at the Tunisian-Algerian border near the Western town of Jendouba.

Petrol smuggling has become a means of living for unemployed young Tunisians due to the weak economy.