LOC18:24
15:24 GMT
PARIS, Sept 22 (KUNA) -- A Belgian police van was intercepted earlier this week carrying 13 migrants that the Belgian police officers say wanted to head to France, media sources said on Thursday.
"France Info" radio said that two Belgian policemen were arrested and were later released.
They apparently said they were acting on orders from a higher authority and were only helping the migrants on their way.
The incident took place on Tuesday near the border town of Nieppe, "France 24" also reported.
France summoned the Belgian ambassador in Paris on Thursday to explain the incident.
The migrants, including three minors, were taken in charge by French authorities, who have protested the action of the Belgian police.
There is no evidence yet that there is any trafficking of the migrants from Belgium to France, where they presumably wanted to reach the northern coast then head for Britain.
France said this week that it was building a one-kilometre, four-metre-high wall to seal off the Calais port area which is a major jump-off point for migrants seeking to enter Britain clandestinely aboard trucks and other vehicles.
There are an estimated 10,000 illegal immigrants in the Calais area, most of them in a massive, sprawling camp called "The Jungle."
French authorities have vowed they will close the camp in the coming months and are already dispersing the migrants there to other parts of France or sending them home. (end)
jk.mt