Air India Crash Aftermath: Family Discovers Mixed Remains in Returned Casket

An investigation reveals shocking revelations about the identification process following the tragedy.

Miten Patel, the son of a woman who perished in the devastating Air India crash, expressed his distress after discovering "other remains" were mixed with his mother's body in her casket. Patel's parents, Ashok and Shobhana Patel, lost their lives in the tragic incident, which occurred shortly after take-off in June and claimed 260 lives. His concerns were amplified when the coroner confirmed the presence of mixed remains, prompting troubling questions about possible errors with other victims.

The Daily Mail has reported alarming allegations of wrong bodies being delivered to families in the UK, including a case where a family received an entirely different body and another where multiple remains were contained within one casket. Despite the Indian foreign ministry's assurances of handling remains with utmost care and professionalism, the flurry of mixed-up identifications has left many families devastated.

Patel conveyed the emotional impact of the situation: “It's obviously very upsetting. People were exhausted and under immense pressure, but there should be accountability in ensuring the correct bodies are sent.” The Indian authorities are collaborating with UK officials to resolve these serious concerns, with a spokesperson noting that the UK government continues to support bereaved families through dedicated caseworkers and family liaison officers.

As pressure mounts, a lawyer representing affected families expects UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to address the matter with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his upcoming visit to the UK. They emphasized the need for urgent answers regarding the whereabouts and proper identification of their loved ones.