'Mortal Remains Handled With Professionalism': MEA Responds to Reports Claiming Air India Sent Wrong Bodies to UK Families

New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has responded to reports alleging that the remains of British victims of an Air India plane crash were wrongly sent to their families. MEA clarified that all mortal remains were identified and handled in accordance with established protocols, maintaining full professionalism and respect for the deceased.

"We have seen the report and have been working closely with the UK side from the moment these concerns and issues were brought to our attention," said MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.

He further stated, “Following the tragic Air India crash, the concerned authorities undertook the identification of victims as per technical and procedural standards. All mortal remains were managed with the utmost professionalism and due dignity.”

The ministry also assured that they are in continued contact with UK authorities to resolve any outstanding concerns raised by the bereaved families.

What Do The Reports Claim?

Following the tragic Air India crash, families of two victims in the United Kingdom have alleged that the bodies repatriated to them were misidentified. According to aviation lawyer James Healy-Pratt, who is representing the grieving families, DNA testing has reportedly revealed that the remains inside at least two caskets do not match samples provided by the relatives.

One devastated family had to cancel their loved one’s funeral after being informed that the coffin they received contained an unidentified person. Another family was shocked to find that the remains they received included body parts of two separate individuals, which had to be separated before the burial could proceed.

Experts note that in high-impact air crashes, there is a possibility of body tissues fusing, which may complicate or skew DNA identification results. Despite only two known cases emerging so far, concerns persist that more such errors could have occurred, leaving several families in agonizing uncertainty.

Lawyer Healy-Pratt said the families are deeply distressed and seeking clarity and accountability from the concerned authorities.

While only two cases of mistaken identity have surfaced so far, there are growing concerns that additional errors may have occurred, leaving several families in a state of lingering uncertainty.

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