RismadarVoice Reporters
October 3, 2026
A 47-year-old man has been found dead inside a UK-registered van carrying suspected irregular migrants at a motorway rest area in northern France.
The vehicle was discovered on Friday at the Champ l’Epée rest area, about 30 kilometres north of Troyes and roughly 300 kilometres from the English Channel.
Troyes prosecutor Isabelle Verissimo said authorities found the man inside the vehicle at about 5am after a shooting was reported at the rest area.
Police also discovered about 10 foreign nationals who were allegedly in France without legal status. Authorities have not disclosed their nationalities or that of the deceased.
According to preliminary findings cited by the prosecutor, shots were fired after the van stopped at the rest area, prompting several people to flee.
A suspect believed to have been present at the scene was arrested early Friday. Authorities have not publicly identified the suspect or established a motive for the shooting.
The investigation has been transferred to law enforcement authorities in Reims.
Prosecutors said the case would involve investigations into suspected murder, attempted murder, unlawful possession of a firearm, facilitating the organised movement and residence of foreigners in France, and organised human trafficking.
The allegations relating to migrant smuggling and trafficking remain under investigation, and authorities have not established the roles of the other people found in or around the vehicle.
Further details surrounding the shooting and the identities of those involved have not been released as the investigation continues.
