French police detain two men on Nicaragua plane over suspected human trafficking with more than 300 Indian passengers
Reportedly French police were questioning two men friday a day after officials grounded a nicaragua bound plane carrying more than 300 indian passengers over suspected “human trafficking.” The Airbus A340, which had flown in from the uae on Thursday, landed at Vatry airport in eastern france for a technical stopover after an anonymous tip-off that it was carrying passengers likely to be “victims of human trafficking,” according to the paris prosecutors office. The two men in custody were among the passengers, the office said. “Identity checks are being carried on the 303 passengers and on the cabin crew,” said the prosecutor’s office.
They were also checking the conditions in which the passengers were being transported and the purpose of their journey. The French agency reported that minors were among the passengers. indian authorities asked for consular access which was granted, following which, a team was dispatched from paris to Vatry airport. In a statement on X, the indian embassy in france said that the authorities in paris had informed them of the situation. “Embassy team has reached & obtained consular access,” it added. “We are investigating the situation, also ensuring wellbeing of passengers.”
They were also checking the conditions in which the passengers were being transported and the purpose of their journey. The French agency reported that minors were among the passengers. indian authorities asked for consular access which was granted, following which, a team was dispatched from paris to Vatry airport. In a statement on X, the indian embassy in france said that the authorities in paris had informed them of the situation. “Embassy team has reached & obtained consular access,” it added. “We are investigating the situation, also ensuring wellbeing of passengers.”
It is believed that the passengers might have planned to travel to Central America to attempt illegal entry into the US or Canada. After landing in france, they were first kept on the aircraft, but then let out and given individual beds in the terminal building. According to government sources, most passengers were from gujarat and Punjab, who were tutored that they were travelling for tourism.