Dozens of French officers were deployed to track down escapees after a human smuggler blew through a checkpoint in a van full of illegal migrants this week, according to reports.
The incident unfolded on Wednesday in the department of Seine-et-Marne in the north of France.
Authorities attempted to inspect a vehicle on the A6 motorway near the commune of Saint-Sauveur-sur-Ecole when the driver plowed through and sped away.
The vehicle was later abandoned and the driver, his accomplices, and approximately 25 migrants escaped into the woods.
"A large force of gendarmerie was deployed to find the fugitives," Actu reports.
"The Fontainebleau company, helped by units from Essonne and a helicopter from the air section, crisscrossed the terrain. About 25 soldiers took part in the operation."
Seine-et-Marne : 13 migrants clandestins indiens et pakistanais interceptés après un refus d'obtempérer sur l'A6https://t.co/Zw5cm2Vqoq pic.twitter.com/3MbZasKqwP
— Fdesouche.com est une revue de presse (@F_Desouche) March 9, 2023
Authorities managed to apprehend 13 migrants while the everyone else got away.
They were identified as citizens of India and Pakistan and all were illegally present in the country.
Some have been ordered to leave French territory while others have applied for asylum.
Authorities are still seeking the driver and two associates who could faces charges related to human smuggling and refusal to comply.
An investigation is ongoing.
Smuggling operations on European roadways often result in catastrophe.
Last year, a wild police pursuit involving a truck carrying illegal aliens ended after French police opened fire on the vehicle, killing an African migrant inside.
Prior to 1776, American patriots lawfully nullified British rule by creating their own parallel government.
(PHOTO: PHILIPPE DESMAZES/AFP via Getty Images)