Detained Indian Passengers to Leave France Today
ICARO Media Group
In a recent development, French judicial officials announced that a plane carrying 303 Indian passengers, which had been detained near Paris over suspicions of human trafficking, will be allowed to leave Vatry airport on Monday. The aircraft, an Airbus A340 bound for Nicaragua, arrived from Dubai for refuelling last Thursday but was held after an anonymous tip-off raised concerns of potential human trafficking.
After a thorough two-day questioning process, French prosecutors decided on Sunday to give the green light for the plane's departure. Full approval for the departure is expected to be granted today, according to a statement from the local prefecture. Although the specific destination was not mentioned, Francois Procureur, the head of the local bar association, stated during a press conference that the passengers would be flown back to India.
Sources close to the inquiry revealed that the Indian passengers were likely workers from the United Arab Emirates who were en route to Nicaragua as a stepping stone to reach either the United States or Canada. The flight was operated by Romanian company Legend Airlines.
During the investigation, the passengers were provided accommodation at the airport. The local prefecture mentioned that beds, toilets, and showers were installed for their convenience. Security measures were also put in place, with police restricting access to the airport grounds to outsiders and the press.
Among the detained passengers were 11 unaccompanied minors, as confirmed by Paris prosecutors. Additionally, two passengers have been kept in custody since Friday, as authorities seek to determine the nature of their involvement in the transportation and their intentions.
In a surprising turn of events, twelve of the passengers have reportedly requested asylum, highlighting the challenges faced by a section of the Indian population seeking refuge.
The Indian embassy in Paris assured that consular staff were on-site, working closely with French authorities to ensure the welfare of the detained passengers and to seek an early resolution to the situation.
Meanwhile, the 30 crew members of the aircraft were not detained, with some having operated the Dubai to Vatry leg of the flight and others prepared to take over for the onward journey to Managua. Flightradar24 data revealed that Legend Airlines, the operator of the flight, possesses only four planes.
As all necessary investigations have been completed, the passengers are eagerly awaiting their departure from Vatry airport today. The details about the final destination and the fate of those seeking asylum are yet to be disclosed.
This story continues to unfold, and further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
Note: The article is based on information obtained from the provided context and may not reflect the latest developments in the situation.