Human trafficking suspicion grips Paris as airbus with 303 Indian passengers detained

In a dramatic turn of events, a Nicaragua-bound Airbus A340, carrying 303 Indian passengers, was detained near Paris at Vatry airport over suspicions of human trafficking.

The aircraft, operated by Romanian company Legend Airlines, had arrived from Dubai for refueling when an anonymous tip raised concerns about potential victims of human trafficking on Thursday.

After two days of intense questioning, French prosecutors on Sunday granted authorization for the plane to leave. However, local authorities confirmed on Monday that the departure would not occur before noon.

Liliana Bakayoko, a lawyer for the airline, stated that the necessary clearances had been obtained, and the plane was awaiting a departure time.

Passenger Dynamics:
Authorities anticipated that some passengers might choose not to continue their journey, opting instead to apply for asylum in France.

A source close to the inquiry suggested that the Indian passengers likely originated from the United Arab Emirates and intended to use Nicaragua as a transit point for reaching the United States or Canada.

Two passengers were detained on Friday for further investigation into their potential roles.

They were set to appear before a judge on Monday and could face charges related to aiding undocumented foreigners and involvement in a criminal gang.

Additionally, twelve passengers have sought asylum, including 11 unaccompanied minors, according to Paris prosecutors.

During the investigation, the passengers were accommodated at the airport with beds, toilets, and showers.

The local prefecture reported strict access controls, preventing the entry of press and outsiders. The Indian embassy in Paris, in a statement on Saturday, confirmed its consular staff’s presence to collaborate with French authorities for the well-being of the detained passengers and an early resolution of the situation.

The authorization for the plane to leave was granted following a French court ruling that further detention of three passengers would be illegal.

Notably, the 30 crew members were not detained, with some handling the Dubai-Vatry leg and others set to take over for the flight to Managua. Flightradar24 data indicated that Legend Airlines, the operator, possesses just four planes.