Air India Crash Victim’s Family Receives Disturbing Mix-Up with Remains

Miten Patel, grieving the loss of his parents in the Air India crash, discovered that his mother's casket contained mixed remains. This revelation raises troubling questions about the handling of victims' bodies by authorities, prompting an investigation into the matter.

The son of a woman who perished in the catastrophic Air India flight crash has claimed that his mother's casket was returned containing "other remains." Miten Patel, who also lost his father in the incident, expressed his shock and concern, stating that a coroner confirmed the mix-up and left him wondering if more such discrepancies were occurring. The tragic plane crash, which occurred shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad in early June, resulted in 260 fatalities. Reports have surfaced alleging that some families in the UK received the wrong remains in the aftermath of the disaster.

Patel reported that his parents, Ashok and Shobhana, were traveling to visit their family when they became victims of the crash. Following the incident, their remains were among the first to be transported back home. Miten articulated the emotional toll of the situation, stating, "obviously very upsetting." While he recognized the intense pressure under which officials operated, he emphasized the critical nature of ensuring that the right bodies are sent to the bereaved families. He questioned, “How do I know there aren’t other remains in the casket with her?”

The Daily Mail highlighted two distinct instances where families in the UK reported receiving incorrect remains, including an entire body sent to the wrong family and another case involving multiple sets of remains in a single casket. Responding to these unsettling reports, India’s foreign ministry stated they had been actively collaborating with UK authorities since the concerns emerged. They asserted that all remains were processed with "utmost professionalism" and with significant respect for the deceased's dignity throughout the identification process.

The foreign ministry emphasized their ongoing commitment to resolve any issues related to the handling of the victims' remains, underlining their adherence to established identification protocols following the air disaster.