Plane grounded in France over suspected 'human trafficking', lands in Mumbai today

A charter plane grounded in France for four days over alleged human trafficking suspicions landed in Mumbai early Tuesday with 276 passengers, mostly Indians.

#WATCH | Maharashtra | Plane with Indian passengers that was grounded in France for four days over suspected human trafficking arrived in Mumbai, earlier today

(Outside visuals from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport) pic.twitter.com/OIMPO0c4Hx

— ANI (@ANI) December 26, 2023

Plane grounded in France lands in Mumbai

The Airbus A340 took off around 2:30 pm from Vatry airport near Paris and touched down in Mumbai shortly after 4 am, officials said.

Maharastra | Plane with Indian passengers, that was grounded in France over suspected human trafficking lands in Mumbai.

— ANI (@ANI) December 25, 2023

Why 25 people stayed in France?

According to French authorities, the aircraft had 303 Indians when it landed at Vatry during a Dubai-Nicaragua trip. 25 people, including two minors, expressed a wish to apply for asylum and remained in France.

Maharashtra | Visuals of the passengers who arrived in Mumbai today, after the plane they were travelling in was grounded in France for four days over suspected human trafficking pic.twitter.com/IKOKiJUeYN

— ANI (@ANI) December 26, 2023

Two others brought before a judge were released under assisted witness status, French media reported. At Vatry, there were 11 unaccompanied minors among the Indian passengers initially.

Stranded travellers were provided makeshift beds, toilet access, meals and hot drinks inside the airport hall over the four days.

Why flight was grounded in France?

The flight operated by Romanian charter firm Legend Airlines was grounded after a technical halt when French police intervened over trafficking suspicions.

Prosecutors launched a probe into the trip's purpose and conditions, with a specialised organised crime unit handling the human smuggling investigation.

Nicaragua has become a haven for those seeking US asylum. Data shows 96,917 Indians tried entering America illegally in 2023, a 51.6% jump. Over 40,000 used the Mexican land border.

Such flights to Nicaragua or countries with easy visas are dubbed "dunki" in smuggling circles. But Indian authorities haven't confirmed trafficking in this case.

How grounded flight was resumed?

After negotiations led by the Indian Embassy in Paris, French authorities allowed the aircraft to resume its journey to Mumbai.

Indian officials are expected to further question passengers over the trip once the flight data is analysed. The unaccompanied minors and those who sought asylum in France are also being assisted.