Christophe Ena/AP
The plane was reportedly carrying around 300 Indian nationals at Vatry airport in eastern France on December 23.
Paris, France CNN —
French authorities grounded a passenger plane carrying 303 Indian citizens, including 11 unaccompanied minors, at Vatry airport on suspicion of human trafficking, Paris prosecutors told CNN on Saturday.
According to prosecutors, the Romania-based Legend Airlines plane was en route from the United Arab Emirates to Nicaragua and had made a resupply stop at Vatry Airport, about 150 kilometers east of Paris.
French authorities seized the plane on December 21 after receiving an anonymous tip.
The plane was chartered by a company registered outside the European Union and Legend Airlines did not participate in ticket sales for that flight, the airline's lawyer, Liliana Bakayoko, told CNN affiliate BFMTV on Saturday.
“All cabin crew were questioned and released,” Bakayoko said, adding that the company that chartered this aircraft was a loyal customer of Legend Airlines and had already chartered several flights.
Legend Airlines declined to name the company, citing an ongoing investigation.
Christophe Ena/AP
An emergency vehicle parks in front of Vatry airport in eastern France on December 23.
Under French law, organized human trafficking is punishable by prison sentences of up to 20 years and fines of up to $3.3 million (3 million euros).
The minors on the plane were handed over to appropriate government authorities for care.
Prosecutors said Sunday that the plane was allowed to leave while two passengers questioned by police “are still in custody and are being monitored by the Paris prosecutor's office.”
The Indian Embassy in France has sent consular staff to the airport to provide support and is in touch with local authorities, it said in a statement on Saturday.