In a dramatic turn of events, an Airbus A340, originating from Dubai and carrying 276 passengers, predominantly Indian nationals, landed in Mumbai early this morning after enduring a four-day detention in France. The aircraft, which departed from Vatry airport near Paris at approximately 2:30 pm local time, finally touched down in Mumbai at 4 am.
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The prolonged detention in France was prompted by suspicions of human trafficking, leading to a thorough investigation by French authorities. Reports indicate that the flight, labeled as a charter service from Dubai, had initially landed at Vatry airport to refuel, situated approximately 160 km from Paris.
Upon the plane’s arrival in Vatry on Friday, it was discovered that among the 303 passengers on board, there were 11 unaccompanied minors. During the four-day ordeal, stranded passengers were provided with essential amenities, including makeshift beds, access to toilets and showers, along with meals and hot drinks in the airport halls.
French authorities confirmed that 276 passengers eventually boarded the plane for the flight to Mumbai, while 27 individuals, including five minors, chose to remain in France, seeking asylum.
Connection to Nicaragua Raises Concerns
The flight’s connection to Nicaragua has raised eyebrows, given the recent surge in individuals seeking asylum in the United States from the Central American nation. According to data from the US Customs and Border Patrol (CBP), there has been a notable increase in Indians attempting to enter the US illegally, with 96,917 recorded in the fiscal year 2023—a staggering 51.61 percent jump from the previous year.
Of particular concern is the utilization of a method known as ‘donkey flights,’ where migrants transit through third countries with lenient travel document requirements to reach their final destinations.
Grounding and Investigation
The decision to ground the Airbus A340 came after a tip-off suggested that the passengers on board were “likely to be victims of human trafficking.” This led to the aircraft being detained, and the investigation is now under the jurisdiction of France’s anti-organized crime unit, JUNALCO.
Sources from the Agence France-Presse (AFP) indicate that the plane may be linked to a crime syndicate attempting to smuggle individuals into the United States. Human trafficking, if proven, carries severe consequences in France, with a potential sentence of up to 20 years.
As the investigation unfolds, the incident underscores the challenges and complexities associated with combating human trafficking on an international scale. Authorities in both France and India are working together to shed light on the circumstances surrounding this unusual flight and the potential criminal activities that may be connected to it.
Also read: https://newseense.com/dense-fog-disrupts-flight-operations-across-major-indian-cities/
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