In a case of suspected human trafficking, a flight which was grounded by the French authorities took off from Vatry airport in France and reached Mumbai in the early hours of Tuesday. Some of the passengers onboard have chosen to stay back.
Source: X
After an episode of being grounded over suspected human trafficking, an aircraft carrying around 303 passengers, mostly Indians, took off from Vatry airport at approximately 2:30 pm local time and arrived in Mumbai just after 4 am on Tuesday. Of the total passengers, only 276 have returned. The passengers of the flight which was grounded since Thursday were questioned by the French authorities for about two days to check if there was any discrepancies involved.
The local authorities reported that out of the initial 303 passengers, 276 headed towards Mumbai, while 25 individuals sought asylum in France. The remaining individuals were relocated to a designated area within Paris’ Charles de Gaulle airport, specifically designated for those seeking asylum.
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Why was the Flight Grounded?
The charter flight, Romanian charter company Legend Airlines’ Airbus A340, had departed from Dubai and was on its way to Nicaragua. On December 21, a technical issue prompted its half at the Vatry airport in France, located 150 kms away from Paris. Following an anonymous tip-off that some of the passengers were victims of human trafficking, the French authorities grounded the flight which had around 303 passengers onboard. The aircraft was held back due to suspicions that the Indian travelers had intentions of reaching Central America, from where they might make an unlawful attempt to enter either the United States or Canada.
After which, the Indian Embassy in France confirmed the information through social media. The Embassy gained consular access and reached the spot to investigate the situation and to ensure the safety and well-being of the passengers as well.
What Action did the French Authorities Take?
Upon arrival in France, the passengers were initially confined to the aircraft before being released and provided with separate beds within the terminal building. According to the prefect’s office, the reception hall at Vatry airport underwent a remarkable transformation into a waiting area, equipped with individual beds to ensure optimal reception conditions for the passengers.
The authorities questioned the passengers and detained two. However, afterwards, the hearings of more than 300 passengers were cancelled by French judges due to procedural irregularities, and they granted permission for the departure of the A340 aircraft.
Legal rights of French Police
Foreign nationals who arrive in France and are stopped from continuing their journey to their intended destination can be detained by the border police for a maximum of four days. However, if authorized by a judge, this period can be extended to eight days. In exceptional situations, an additional eight days can be granted, making the total detention period up to a maximum of 26 days.
Response from Airline Authorities
Liliana Bakayoko, the lawyer representing the airline, stated in an interview with BFMTV that the situation had been quite perplexing initially, as certain passengers had refused to comply with the directive to return to their country of origin.
According to the French news broadcast television and radio network, some of the passengers were dissatisfied with the decision as they had intended to proceed with their journey to Nicaragua as originally planned. Furthermore, the lawyer emphasized that the company will remain “accessible to investigators” and intends to pursue compensation from its client due to the substantial damages it has incurred.
The French Government and Vatry Airport were acknowledged by the Indian Embassy in France for their prompt resolution of the situation, which facilitated the safe return of Indian passengers and their hospitality. The embassy also expressed gratitude for the close collaboration with their team, who remained present at the site to ensure the welfare and smooth return of the passengers. Additionally, the embassy extended their thanks to the agencies in India for their support.
