Vatry: Legend Airlines A340 temporarily chained

The French public prosecutor's office had chained up an Airbus A303 with 340 passengers from India, operated by Legend Airlines, at Paris-Vatry airport. There were 276 passengers on board when it landed, but details of their release or departure from the airport were not disclosed by Indian authorities.

27 people are said to have remained in France. According to official information, two are accused of smuggling and human trafficking. However, they are said to be at large. 25 people are said to have applied for asylum in France. The plane came from Dubai and was on its way to Managua.

French authorities grounded the plane following an anonymous report suggesting possible human trafficking, but investigations revealed that the passengers appeared to have boarded voluntarily. The case is legally complicated; among other things, they are accused of aiding and abetting illegal entry and stay in a foreign country within an organized gang. Concerns have been raised about the living conditions of detained passengers at Vatry airport in France. After a delay, the plane was finally able to take off. The Indian Embassy in France thanked the French government and Vatry Airport for quickly resolving the issue.