Vatry, France: A Romania-based airline, Legend Airlines, is vehemently denying any wrongdoing after French authorities grounded a Nicaragua-bound flight carrying over 303 Indian passengers due to suspected human trafficking. The drama unfolded on Thursday at Vatry airport in eastern France, where the Airbus A340 had made a scheduled technical stopover en route from the United Arab Emirates.
Local reports indicate that French police, acting on intelligence, detained two men aboard the plane for questioning under suspicion of involvement in human trafficking. The remaining passengers, believed to be Indian nationals who had likely been working in the UAE, were held on the tarmac for several hours while authorities investigated.
Liliana Bakayoko, a lawyer representing Legend Airlines, told Agence France-Presse (AFP) that the company “believes it has done nothing wrong and has committed no offence.” She further declared that Legend Airlines, which boasts a small fleet of four aircraft, remains at the disposal of French authorities and is cooperating fully with the investigation.
The specific details surrounding the suspected human trafficking are unclear, and French police have yet to comment publicly on the nature of the investigation or the two individuals in custody. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs has confirmed the incident and stated that they are in touch with both French and Nicaraguan authorities to ensure the safety and well-being of the Indian passengers.
The incident raises concerns about the potential exploitation of migrant workers, particularly those traveling from South Asia to Gulf countries. Previous reports have documented instances of illegal recruitment practices, passport confiscation, and forced labor in various sectors within the Gulf region.
News of the grounding in France has caused anxiety among the families of the detained passengers in India. Many are seeking additional information from authorities and expressing concerns about the welfare of their loved ones.
As the investigation progresses, further details are expected to emerge. However, the incident highlights the continued need for vigilant monitoring of potential human trafficking cases, particularly across international borders. It also underlines the importance of robust safeguards and support systems for migrant workers vulnerable to exploitation.
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