Nicaragua bound jet grounded in France on suspicion of human trafficking

A wide body jet airliner carrying 303 Indian passengers was grounded at north-eastern France airport after authorities suspected it was engaging in human trafficking, according to press reports from French media.

The Airbus A340 jet was flying to the Nicaraguan capital of Managua from the United Arab Emirates, according to a report published by BBC.

The jet was grounded on Thursday after an “anonymous tip-off,” according to French prosecutors. The Airbus A340 had stopped at the small Vatry airport in Marne department during a technical layover.

Some of the suspects have been detained in the airport, which law enforcement officers have cordoned off from the public.

An investigation has been initiated by the French government into the passengers and pilots, local officials said, and two passengers have been taken into custody.

The French government confirmed that some of the passengers were illegal migrants.

Most passengers were permitted to remain in the jet at first, but a statement by the Marne prefect's office said that the airport's arrival lounge was soon converted into a waiting area with beds.

The aircraft, which is currently being researched by French authorities is owned by Romanian charter company Legend Airlines.

The company’s outside counsel, Liliana Bakayoko, told French news channel BFMTV that it was cooperating with French officials and hoped the jet could be on its trip to Nicaragua soon.

French authorities have not suggested whether that is a viable possibility at this stage of their investigation.