A charter plane carrying 276 passengers, predominantly Indians, was grounded in France for four days over suspected human trafficking before landing in Mumbai in the early hours of Tuesday, according to an official.
The Airbus A340 departed from Vatry airport near Paris around 2:30 pm local time and touched down in Mumbai shortly after 4 am, reportedly.
The incident has sparked investigations and raised concerns about the circumstances leading to the extended delay.
According to French authorities, the plane had 276 passengers on board when it departed for Mumbai, as 25 individuals, including two minors, expressed the wish to apply for asylum and remained on French soil. Two others were held, brought before a judge, released, and placed on assisted witness status, as reported by a French news channel.
Upon landing at Vatry airport, there were 11 unaccompanied minors among the 303 Indian passengers on board, as stated by a local official.
Stranded passengers at Vatry airport were provided with makeshift beds, access to toilets and showers, as well as meals and hot drinks in the airport hall, according to the official.
The flight, operated by Romanian charter company Legend Airlines and bound for Nicaragua, had landed at Vatry for a technical stopover en route from Dubai when French police intervened.
French authorities initiated a judicial investigation into the conditions and purpose of the trip, with a unit specializing in organized crime examining suspected human trafficking.
A 'Dunki' flight to Nicaragua
Nicaragua has become a sought-after destination for those seeking asylum in the US. In the financial year 2023, 96,917 Indians attempted to enter the US illegally, marking a 51.61% increase from the previous year, according to data from the US Customs and Border Patrol (CBP).
At least 41,770 of these Indians attempted entry via the Mexican land border, as per CBP data. Flights to Nicaragua or other countries with easy travel document acquisition have been dubbed 'dunki' flights.
