Flight Grounded With 303 Passengers Allowed To Take Off From France

A Nicaragua-bound flight carrying 303 passengers was permitted to restart its journey on Monday after authorising the aircraft and completing all the legal formalities. Most of the passengers on board were Indians. On December 21, the aircraft was grounded in the Vatry airport in France while heading to India over the suspicion of human trafficking.

The French police had intercepted the plane after allegedly received an anonymous information. However, three days after the detention, the A-340 aircraft operated by Romania”s Legend Airlines is expected to land at Mumbai airport tomorrow morning. After the detention of the plane, the Indian embassy in France had asserted that the well-being of the travellers would be ensured.

“French authorities informed us of a plane w/ 303 people, mostly of Indian origin, from Dubai to Nicaragua detained on a technical halt at a French airport. The embassy team has reached & obtained consular access. We are investigating the situation, also ensuring the wellbeing of passengers,” The embassy tweeted hours after the plane’s grounding in France.

According to the news agency AFP, the Indians detained in France were labourers in the UAE who were heading for Nicaragua on their way to the US or Canada. Some reports also claimed that many passengers among them were trying to seek asylum.

Facilities including sleeping arrangements were availed to the passengers by the Emergency services in France. The stranded passengers were also allowed to use the restroom and showers, in addition to being supplied with meals and beverages, the news agency Reuters reported citing a spokeswoman for the Marne prefect”s office.

However, Indian authorities have not confirmed the development. It is also uncertain if the flight will be flying to its original destination Nicaragua after reaching Mumbai.