nationality

Under international maritime law, naval forces can stop a merchant vessel at sea if they have reasonable suspicion that the vessel is without a nationality.

Prosecutors in Brest have opened an investigation on two counts: refusing an order to stop and failing to justify the nationality of the ship's flag.

To further ease privacy concerns, a particular authority seeking information on a person – such as proof of age or nationality, for example – will only be able to check for those specific details.

Her body was found on Sunday morning on a beach near Boulogne-sur-Mer in northern France, according to the AFP news agency, with her age and nationality not yet known.

To ease privacy concerns, a particular authority seeking information – proof of age or nationality for example – will only be able to check for those specific details.