France has grounded a charter flight carrying 303 Indian passengers to Nicaragua. According to the local officials in the eastern Marne region, a judicial investigation into the conditions and purposes of the trip has also been launched. The Paris Public Prosecution Office stated that two persons have been arrested and are being questioned by an organised crime team that is investigating suspicions of human trafficking. It further stated that the authorities were tipped off by an anonymous source.
According to a statement from the Marne prefect's office, the Romanian charter company Legend Airlines was operating the flight when authorities intervened on Thursday afternoon (local time) during a technical halt at the Little Vatry airport. The flight had departed from Dubai.
"The reception hall at Vatry airport was transformed into a waiting area with individual beds to provide passengers with the best possible reception conditions," the prefect's office added.
Embassy of India in France issues statement
Meanwhile, the Embassy of India in France stated that the situation is being investigated and the well-being of passengers is also being taken care of. "French authorities informed us of a plane w/ 303 people, mostly Indian origin, from Dubai to Nicaragua detained on a technical halt at a French airport. Embassy team has reached & obtained consular access. We are investigating the situation, also ensuring wellbeing of passengers," it wrote on X.
More details are awaited.
(With inputs from Reuters)
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