KINGSTON, Jamaica —The 253 foreigners who arrived in Jamaica on Thursday but were refused entry by immigration officials based on security concerns, are scheduled to depart the island in short order.

According to a news release from the Ministry of National Security on Monday, arrangements are in place to supervise the departure of the German-registered aircraft USC GmbH. The Ministry noted that despite arriving on the island legally, and having received the requisite approvals for operation from the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority, the passengers, who are reportedly Indians, were refused entry by immigration officials, based on security concerns uncovered during their processing at the airport.

It was uncovered that upon landing in Jamaica, two passengers were on the flight that did not appear on the submitted passenger manifest. This reportedly prompted further investigations by The Passport Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA) in collaboration with the Jamaica Constabulary Force.

PICA reportedly later shared that based on enhanced checks, the decision was taken not to grant the passengers leave to land in Jamaica.

However, according to the news release, “given the duration of the flight, as well as civil aviation regulations for the minimum rest period, before clearance is given to safely operate, it was deemed impractical to detain the passengers in the plane or at the airport.”

The release noted that as a result, and due to previous reservations made at a hotel in Kingston, the travellers and airline crewmembers were allowed to leave the airport on humanitarian grounds.

They were reportedly escorted to the hotel by law enforcement and immigration personnel.

The passengers remain accounted for and are currently at the Norman Manley International Airport as they await their departure, the release said.

The Charter Company will reportedly stand the cost of their accommodation and return.

The Ministry of National Security stated that local authorities routinely screen passenger flights for security threats, and possible breaches of law and/or regulations.

“In this instance, while the Ministry was alerted to the operation of the flight based on what appeared to be anomalies and missing details from its initial permit application, the necessary supporting documents were later supplied to satisfy the requirements for obtaining a permit to operate to Jamaica.”