GENEVA, Dec 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Swiss police said they found 14 migrants, presumed to be Syrians, in the back of a French-registered van following a lengthy chase.
The vehicle had sped away from police controls in northern Italy and at the Swiss exit of the Gotthard Road Tunnel, where the Uri cantonal police had set up a roadblock.
The driver ignored calls to stop and “was driving at excess speed and violating traffic laws”, the police said in a statement.
Several police cars pursued the van, which was finally stopped some 30 kilometres from the tunnel’s exit at the town of Fluelen, on Lake Lucerne.
Switzerland is a major transit point for migrants crossing Europe or trying to reach the UK.
In late October, France and Switzerland said they would work more closely to limit illegal immigration.
A declaration of intention pledges to improve exchange of information, reinforce cooperation between their police forces and better coordinate efforts to send undocumented migrants back to their home countries.
The declaration was symbolically signed at the Moillesulaz border post by French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin and Swiss Justice Minister Elisabeth Baume-Schneider. — NNN-AGENCIES
