India and France probe suspected human trafficking case

India and France are probing the incident of suspected 'human trafficking' and its origin as the Indian embassy in France received consular access to its citizens after a Nicaragua-bound flight carrying 303 people, mostly Indians, was detained by the French authorities during 'a technical halt' at an airport in north-eastern part of the country.

The French police have taken two men into custody after officials grounded the plane. The Vatry airport, located 150 km east of Paris, where the flight was grounded, serves mostly budget airlines.

Sources, who did not wish to be identified, told ET that it is a case of human trafficking, and India and France, who share close security partnership, are probing the matter. Sources informed that the episode entail judicial process.


The French authorities have launched an initial probe into the origin of suspected human trafficking and the mastermind or network behind it.

While human traffickers enabling individuals and smaller groups to illegally sneak into Europe and the US via several countries is a common trend, this may have been one of the biggest cases of attempted human trafficking in recent years, sources claimed.

Central American routes are common to enter the US illegally.