Regional authorities said 276 of the 303 passengers had returned to India and another 25 had sought asylum in France. The passengers who landed in France included a 21-month-old child and several unaccompanied minors.
Indian passengers board a plane at France's Vatry airport to return home on December 25, 2023. Photo: AP
The Paris prosecutor's office said the other two passengers were initially detained as part of a human trafficking investigation but were released on Monday after appearing in court. The judge designated them as "supporting witnesses" in the case.
The Legend Airlines A340 stopped on Thursday to refuel at Vatry airport while en route from the UAE to Nicaragua, but was banned by police due to anonymous tips that it might be carrying human trafficking victims.
There are suspicions that the final destination of the passengers could be the United States, which has seen a surge in Indians crossing the Mexico-US border this year. French authorities are trying to determine the original purpose of the flight and have launched an investigation into the incident.
Vatry airport has been sealed off by police for days. Local officials, medics and volunteers have installed cots and ensured regular meals and showers for the children trapped inside.
The airport then became a makeshift courtroom on Sunday as judges, lawyers and interpreters arrived at the airport to conduct emergency hearings to determine next steps.
The Indian embassy posted a thank you on X to French officials for ensuring Indians could return home. Regional prosecutor Annick Browne said French authorities had been working through Christmas on procedures to allow passengers to leave France.
Legend Airlines lawyer Liliana Bakayoko said some passengers did not want to return to India because they had paid for a “ tour ” to Nicaragua. The airline has denied any role in possible human trafficking.
Nicaragua is often chosen as a transit point to other countries by people fleeing poverty or conflict, due to its lax entry requirements or visa-free policy.
Bui Huy (according to AP, Reuters)
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