Airbus A340 lands in Mumbai with 276 passengers detained in France for suspected human trafficking

• Airbus A340 lands in Mumbai carrying 276 passengers suspected of human trafficking detained in France
• France sent back 276 passengers, while 25 individuals, including two minors, sought political asylum; cases to be reviewed by French authorities.
• Nicaragua is identified as a hub for illegal immigrants attempting entry into the United States, with a significant rise in Indian immigration.

An Airbus A340 aircraft operated by Romanian Legend Airlines, carrying 276 out of 303 passengers suspected of human trafficking, finally landed at Mumbai Airport after a four-day ordeal. The aircraft had departed from Vatry airport near Paris and touched down in Mumbai shortly after 4 am.

According to Indian Immigration authorities at Mumbai Airport, France had sent back the 276 passengers, while 25 individuals, including two minors, sought political asylum, and their cases will be reviewed by French authorities.

The detainees, including 11 unaccompanied minors, were held at Vatry airport when the charter flight to Nicaragua stopped for refueling. Nicaragua has become a hub for illegal immigrants seeking entry into the United States, facilitated by human traffickers.

Notably, US Customs and Border Patrol data recorded a significant surge in Indians attempting to enter the US illegally, with 96,917 cases reported in 2023, indicating a 51.61 percent increase from the previous year.