Plane grounded in France over human trafficking lands in Mumbai

A charter plane carrying 276 passengers mostly Indians grounded in France for four days over suspected human trafficking landed in Mumbai in the wee hours on Tuesday an official said reported news agency PTIThe aircraft an Airbus A340 landed in Mumbai shortly after 4 am the official said It had taken off from Vatry airport near Paris around 230 pm local time reported PTIAccording to French authorities the plane had 276 passengers on board when it took off for Mumbai as 25 persons including two minors had expressed the wish to apply for asylum and were still on French soil Two others were held and produced before a judge who were brought before a judge were released and placed on assisted witness status a French news channel said reported PTIWhen the flight landed in Vatry airport there were 11 unaccompanied minors among the 303 Indian passengers on board a local official had said reported PTIMakeshift beds were arranged for the stranded passengers who were given access to toilets and showers and provided meals and hot drinks in the hall of Vatry airport the official had said reported PTIThe flight which was operated by Romanian charter company Legend Airlines and bound for Nicaragua had landed at Vatry on Thursday for a technical stopover en route from Dubai when French police intervened reported PTIFrench authorities launched a judicial investigation into the conditions and purpose of the trip with a unit specialising in organised crime investigating suspected human trafficking reported PTINicaragua has become a popular destination for those seeking asylum in the US As many as 96917 Indians attempted to enter the US illegally in the financial year 2023 signalling a 5161 percent jump from the previous year according to data made available by the US Customs and Border Patrol CBP reported PTIAt least 41770 of those Indians attempted to enter the US via the Mexican land border CBP data shows Flights to Nicaragua or third countries where obtaining travel documents is easy have come to be known as dunki flights reported PTIEarlier on Monday the Indian Embassy in France thanked the French government and the Vatry Airport authorities for their hospitality and quick resolution of the situation that allowed Indian passengers to return homeThe embassy also hailed the cooperation of French authorities for working closely with the embassy team and ensuring the safe return of citizensTaking to X Indian Embassy in France said Thank French Gov and Vatry Airport for quick resolution of the situation enabling Indian passengers to return home amp hospitality Also for working closely with embassy team present throughout at the site to ensure welfare and smooth amp safe return Thank agencies in India tooThe Indian Embassy in France also thanked French authorities for working through the long holiday weekendContinue to work with French Gov for the welfare of the Indians currently at the Varty airport 150 km East of Paris amp for early resolution of the situation Embassy consular staff stationed there Thank French authorities for working on this through the long holiday weekend the Indian Embassy in France said in the postWith inputs from PTI and ANI