A major controversy has emerged following the tragic Air India crash on June 12 in Ahmedabad.
According to a lawyer representing several UK families, wrong bodies were sent to at least two families in the UK.
The error was discovered when British authorities attempted to verify the identities of the deceased through DNA testing.
Crash Details: 260 Dead, 1 Survivor
The ill-fated AI171 flight, bound for London’s Gatwick Airport, crashed near Ahmedabad’s Sardar Patel International Airport, killing 260 people (241 on board and 19 on the ground).
Only one passenger survived the accident. Among the victims were 53 British nationals, according to a BBC report.
The Mix-Up: Bodies Misidentified in Ahmedabad
The lawyer from Keystone Law, representing affected families, said the remains were misidentified at a government hospital in Ahmedabad.
These remains were then placed in sealed coffins and handed over to the families without any visible inspection.
Air India, the lawyer clarified, had no role in the misidentification, only in facilitating the transfer of remains.
How the Mistake Was Discovered
The error came to light when the coroner in Inner West London, Dr. Fiona Wilcox, tried to match the remains with family-provided DNA samples. That’s when the shocking discovery was made:
One family had to cancel funeral plans after being told the body they received was not their relative’s.
Another family found remains of two people in the same coffin, forcing them to separate the bodies before proceeding with the funeral.
Lawyer: Families Deserve Answers
James Healy-Pratt, a UK-based aviation lawyer working with the families, said some British families were left traumatized after receiving the wrong remains.
He is now pushing for a full investigation into the recovery and identification process.
DNA Testing and Funeral Challenges
DNA tests were conducted at Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, as most bodies were burned beyond recognition.
The remains of 12 passengers were sent to the UK, while others were buried or cremated in India.
However, the process has come under fire due to alleged errors in identification and labelling.
Families Not Allowed to View Bodies
Relatives claim they weren’t allowed to inspect the remains. Altaf Taju, who lost his parents and brother-in-law in the crash, said they were simply handed a paper label with an ID number.
He found some peace knowing his family members were buried quickly in India and were not involved in the mix-up.
Air India Not Directly Responsible
According to Indian sources, Air India played no role in the identification or handling of the bodies.
The sealed coffins were handed over by the hospital, and Kenyons International Emergency Services, a private firm hired by Air India, assisted families during the process.
Investigation Ongoing
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is now analyzing data from the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and Flight Data Recorder (FDR).
Authorities are also trying to reconstruct the chain of custody of the remains, from recovery at the crash site to final handover.
Healy-Pratt said the families only want one thing: “To bring their loved ones home properly.” Many are now demanding transparency and justice.
