A plane carrying more than 300 passengers, predominantly Indian nationals, expected to land at Mumbai airport on Monday afternoon was delayed , following a three-day detention by French authorities over suspected human trafficking. Operated by Romania’s Legend Airlines, the A340 aircraft departed from the Vatry airport near Paris, where it was grounded.
The Nicaragua-bound flight, originating from Dubai with 303 passengers on board, was halted at Vatry airport, located 150 kilometers east of Paris, last Thursday due to suspected involvement in “human trafficking.”
On Sunday, four French judges interrogated the detained passengers as part of the investigation initiated by the Paris prosecutor’s office. The hearings revealed that some passengers spoke Hindi, while others spoke Tamil.
Despite initially authorizing the plane to depart, the French judges opted to cancel the passengers’ hearings on Sunday due to irregularities in the procedure.
The plane includes 11 unaccompanied minors, and two passengers who have been in custody since Friday had their detention extended for up to 48 hours on Saturday evening, as reported by French prosecutors.
The unfolding events underscore heightened concerns over human trafficking, prompting thorough investigations and legal proceedings to ensure the safety and well-being of the passengers involved.
