India gets consular access after flight carrying mostly Indians detained in France

Indian Embassy in France obtains consular access to 303 Indian passengers detained in France over suspected human trafficking.

India’s embassy in France has received consular access to its citizens after a Nicaragua-bound flight carrying 303 people, mostly Indians, was detained by French authorities during “a technical halt” at an airport near Paris over suspected “human trafficking”.

The plane that took off from the United Arab Emirates carrying 303 Indian passengers was grounded in France on December 21 over suspected “human trafficking”, French authorities were quoted as saying by the local media on December 22.

“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,” the Indian mission said in a post on ‘X’.

“The embassy team has reached & obtained consular access. We are investigating the situation, also ensuring the wellbeing of passengers,” it said.

According to a ‘Le Monde’ newspaper report, the national anti-organised crime unit JUNALCO has taken over the investigation.

Special investigators are questioning all those aboard and two people are in custody pending further examination, the Paris prosecutor's office said in a statement.

The prefecture in the northeastern department of Marne said the A340, operated by Romanian company Legend Airlines, “remained grounded on the tarmac at Vatry airport following its landing” on Thursday.