Why France grounded plane with 300 Indians and what happens next | 5 points
detained the flight after they received an anonymous tip-off that said the plane was carrying passengers "likely to be victims of human trafficking," the Paris prosecutors office was quoted by AFP as saying. According to the report, two men, who were among the passengers, were taken into custody on Saturday. "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. A source told AFP that minors were among the passengers. As the probe into this aspect continues, a source familiar with the case told AFP that the passengers might have planned to travel to Central America in order to attempt illegal entry into the United States or Canada.
According to the airline, the plane was carrying 303 Indian nationals who had probably been working in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). ALSO READ: Air France-KLM, IndiGo eye bigger mkt with codeshare The prefecture in the north-eastern department of Marne said the A340 "remained grounded on the tarmac at Vatry airport following its landing" on Thursday. Border police can initially hold a foreign national for up to four days if they land in France.
They are also prevented from travelling on to their intended destination. ALSO READ: France bans domestic flights on short routes to cut emissions According to AFP, French law allows for that period to be extended to eight days if a judge approves it, then another eight days in exceptional circumstances, up to a maximum of 26 days. Human trafficking carries a potential sentence of up to 20 years in France.
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