A plane bound for Nicaragua from Dubai, carrying 303 Indian passengers, was detained at Vatry airport in France on suspicion of human trafficking. The detention came after an anonymous tipoff prompted authorities to investigate the nature of the passengers' travel.
The Indian Embassy in Paris received an email alerting them to the situation, leading to swift action by the concerned authorities. The aircraft, operated by Romanian company Legend Airlines, had made a stop at Vatry airport in France for refueling.
Upon further investigation, it was revealed that the passengers were predominantly from Punjab and Gujrat, and it is believed that they harbored intentions of entering the USA through Nicaragua. During consular access, Indian authorities discovered that the passengers, largely Gujarati and Punjabi, were under the impression that they were traveling for tourism purposes.
Nicaragua has become a known illegal route for individuals seeking entry into the USA, especially after the closure of the Mexican route. The Indian government is actively pursuing the deportation of these individuals to prevent legal complications and incarceration.
French authorities detained the aircraft on Thursday based on the tipoff, suspecting that the passengers might be victims of human trafficking. The national anti-organized crime unit, JUNALCO, has taken charge of the investigation, aiming to unravel the circumstances surrounding the suspicious travel.
The Indian Embassy in France has released a statement affirming their commitment to investigating the situation and ensuring the well-being of the detained passengers. A team has been dispatched from Paris to Vatry airport, with plans to meet the passengers by Saturday.
As per latest reports, the incident underscores the challenges posed by human trafficking and the importance of international cooperation in addressing such issues. The Indian authorities are working diligently to resolve the situation and safeguard the welfare of their citizens involved in this perplexing case.
