Unraveling the Mystery of a Grounded Charter Plane in France: 300 Passengers, Allegations of Human Trafficking, and a Controversial Journey to Central America

A chartered plane, previously grounded in France amid a human trafficking investigation, departed for India on Monday, concluding an unusual holiday ordeal for approximately 300 Indians who were on their way to Central America. The incident saw them stranded inside a rural French airport for four days.

Outside Vatry Airport in Champagne country, Associated Press reporters witnessed the unmarked Legend Airlines A340 taking off after the crew and around 200 other individuals boarded the plane. The fate of those who didn't board remained unclear.

Among the passengers grounded in France were a 21-month-old child and 11 unaccompanied minors placed under special administrative care. Some passengers sought asylum in France, as reported by an official from the Marne regional prefecture.

Two passengers were detained and appeared before a judge on Monday, facing potential charges related to involvement in an organized criminal group aiding foreigners in entering or staying in a country illegally, according to the Paris prosecutor's office. However, it wasn't specified whether human trafficking, defined by the U.N. as the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring, or receipt of people through force, fraud, or deception for exploitation and profit, was still suspected.

French authorities continued to investigate the purpose of the original flight. The Legend Airlines A340 had stopped for refueling in Vatry on its way from Fujairah airport in the United Arab Emirates to Managua, Nicaragua, and was grounded based on an anonymous tip about potential human trafficking victims.

Prosecutors did not comment on whether the passengers' ultimate destination might have been the U.S., where there has been an increase in Indians crossing the Mexico-U.S. border this year.

The airport was used by police for days and transformed into a makeshift courtroom on Sunday, where judges, lawyers, and interpreters conducted emergency hearings to determine the next steps. Lawyers at these hearings raised concerns about authorities' handling of the situation and the passengers' rights.

French authorities worked through Christmas Eve and Christmas morning to facilitate the departure of passengers from France, according to regional prosecutor Annick Browne.

Legend Airlines lawyer Liliana Bakayoko stated that the airline received approval from French authorities to transport 301 of the 303 passengers on a direct flight to Mumbai on Monday, though the final figure was expected to be lower. Some passengers opposed going to India, citing payment for a tourism trip to Nicaragua. Legend Airlines has denied any involvement in potential human trafficking.

Foreigners in France can be held for up to four days in a transit zone for police investigations, after which a special judge decides whether to extend the period to eight days. Local officials, medics, and volunteers provided cots, regular meals, and showers for those held at Vatry airport.

The U.S. government has designated Nicaragua, one of several countries failing to meet minimum standards for eliminating human trafficking. Nicaragua has also served as a migratory springboard due to relaxed or visa-free entry requirements, with charter flights occasionally used for the journey.