(CMR) Jamaican authorities are working with the Indian High Commission to repatriate over 200 Indian nationals who were aboard an unauthorized chartered flight that landed in Jamaica from Egypt on Thursday.
Reports are that the chartered flight with 218 individuals, mostly Indians, arrived in Jamaica at Norman Manley International Airport. However, the plane, registered in Germany, lacked the necessary approvals, including a passenger manifest.
The charter reportedly failed to disclose that it was arriving in Jamaica to Jamaican authorities and had no arrangements to take the passengers back to their destination.
The flight also reportedly made a stopover in Dubai, where a Uzbek national who is of interest to US officials was picked up.
Despite the irregularities, airport authorities permitted the aircraft to land and allowed passengers to disembark. They were then granted permission to stay at the ROK Hotel in Downtown Kingston under police guard. Authorities justified this decision by citing the lack of detention facilities at the airport and the absence of space in local remand centers.
However, concerns mounted over the weekend after several of the passengers were observed freely exploring the city, engaging in activities like shopping without proper supervision. There were reports that some may have left the hotel entirely.
According to the Jamaica Gleaner, on Monday, Opposition spokesperson on foreign affairs, Dr. Angela Brown Burke, demanded that the Government disclose the identity of the individuals or organizations responsible for chartering the flight, why the flight was allowed to land in Jamaica without proper clearance, and why the passengers were allowed to disembark and enter Jamaica.
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