276 passengers in flight stopped in France land safely in Mumbai; Where are the rest?

Early this morning, an Airbus A340 carrying 276 passengers—mostly Indians—landed in Mumbai after being detained for four days in France on suspicion of being involved in human trafficking. The plane touched down in Mumbai just after four in the morning. At 2:30 p.m. local time, it had taken off from the Vatry airport, which is close to Paris.

As per further information, 276 passengers had boarded the aircraft for the journey, according to confirmation from French authorities, while 27 people—including five minors—remained on French territory in pursuit of asylum.

There were 303 passengers on board when the plane landed in Vatry on Friday, and 11 of them were unaccompanied minors. During the four days of the ordeal, the stranded passengers were given hot drinks, meals, and access to restrooms and showers in the Vatry airport’s hallways. They were also given makeshift beds.

The flight’s connection to Nicaragua sparked controversy because the country in central America has seen an increase in people applying for asylum in the US. The number of Indians attempting to enter the US illegally has significantly increased, according to data from the US Customs and Border Patrol (CBP). In the fiscal year 2023, 96,917 attempts were recorded, a 51.61 percent increase from the previous year.

The practice used by some migrants, referred to as “donkey flights,” in which people pass through third nations with lax travel document requirements in order to get to their final destinations, is especially concerning.

A criminal syndicate that is trying to smuggle people into the US may be connected to the aircraft. The French anti-organized crime unit JUNALCO is now in charge of the investigation.

In France, there are harsh penalties for human trafficking, including a 20-year prison sentence if proven.

Shreyas Vange